Multi-shopper cooperative shopping experience apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in providing a multi-shopper cooperative shopping experience. Some embodiments provide a multiple customer shopping apparatus, comprising: a control circuit and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: associate both a local customer and a remote customer with a single motorized transport unit that removably couples with a movable item container such that the local and remote customers are simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit; and provide a cooperative shopping experience between both the local customer and the remote customer while both the local customer and the remote customer are simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of each of the following U.S. Provisional applications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,726, filed Mar. 6, 2015, Docket 8842-134158-US (587US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,727, filed Mar. 6, 2015, Docket 8842-134268-US (615US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/138,877, filed Mar. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-134162-US (610US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/138,885, filed Mar. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-134209-US (635US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,421, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134155-US (608US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,465, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134161-US (603US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,440, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134208-US (611US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,630, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134249-US (612US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,711, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134269-US (626US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,610, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134574-US (623US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,667, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134575-US (663US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/157,388, filed May 5, 2015, Docket 8842-134573-US (606US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,579, filed May 22, 2015, Docket 8842-134576-US (677US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,416, filed May 22, 2015, Docket 8842-134589-US (624US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,586, filed May 22, 2015, Docket 8842-134945-US (732US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/171,822, filed Jun. 5, 2015, Docket 8842-134250-US (621US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/175,182, filed Jun. 12, 2015, Docket 8842-135963-US (726US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/182,339, filed Jun. 19, 2015, Docket 8842-135961-US (749US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/185,478, filed Jun. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-136023-US (742US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,131, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-135962-US (739US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,119, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136020-US (728US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,121, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136022-US (740US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,127, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136024-US (743US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/202,744, filed Aug. 7, 2015, Docket 8842-135956-US (764US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/202,747, filed Aug. 7, 2015, Docket 8842-136021-US (734US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,548, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-135959-US (751US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,569, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136123-US (680US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,555, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136124-US (741US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,539, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136651-US (919US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/207,858, filed Aug. 20, 2015, Docket 8842-136508-US (854US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/214,826, filed Sep. 4, 2015, Docket 8842-136026-US (746US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/214,824, filed Sep. 4, 2015, Docket 8842-136025-US (744US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/292,084, filed Feb. 5, 2016, Docket 8842-137833-US (925US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,547, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-136125-US (748US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,567, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-138040-US (731US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,713, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-137834-US (932US01); and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/303,021, filed Mar. 3, 2016, Docket 8842-137831-US (636US01).

TECHNICAL FIELD

These teachings relate generally to shopping environments and more particularly to devices, systems and methods for assisting customers and/or workers in those shopping environments.

BACKGROUND

In a modern retail store environment, there is a need to improve the customer experience and/or convenience for the customer. In a shopping environment, it can be important that product inventory be moved through a shopping location or facility. Further, the customer experience at the shopping facility can have significant effects on current sales. Providing a pleasant or improved customer experience can lead to customer satisfaction and repeat returns to the shopping location.

There are many ways to improve customer experience. For example, increasing sales items can let the customer save money. The shopping facility layout can affect customer experience based in part on finding products of interest and/or congestion within the shopping facility. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to improve the customers' shopping experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above needs are at least partially met through provision of embodiments of systems, devices, and methods designed to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility, such as described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 comprises a block diagram of a shopping assistance system as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of a motorized transport unit of the system of FIG. 1 in a retracted orientation and an extended orientation in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of the motorized transport unit of FIGS. 2A and 2B detachably coupling to a movable item container, such as a shopping cart, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 comprises a block diagram of a motorized transport unit as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 5 comprises a block diagram of a computer device as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary cooperative shopping facility assistance system configured to provide a multi-customer cooperative shopping experience, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a simplified block diagram of an exemplary motorized transport unit, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows a simplified block diagram of an exemplary movable item container and/or a user interface unit of a movable item container, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary central computer system in communication between a motorized transport unit and a remote customer's user interface unit, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows a simplified flow diagram of an exemplary process of providing a cooperative shopping experience for multiple customers, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates simplified exemplary processes of providing a cooperative shopping experience, in accordance with some embodiments.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present teachings. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present teachings. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods are provided for assistance of persons at a shopping facility. Generally, assistance may be provided to customers or shoppers at the facility and/or to workers at the facility. The facility may be any type of shopping facility at a location in which products for display and/or for sale are variously distributed throughout the shopping facility space. The shopping facility may be a retail sales facility, or any other type of facility in which products are displayed and/or sold. The shopping facility may include one or more of sales floor areas, checkout locations, parking locations, entrance and exit areas, stock room areas, stock receiving areas, hallway areas, common areas shared by merchants, and so on. Generally, a shopping facility includes areas that may be dynamic in terms of the physical structures occupying the space or area and objects, items, machinery and/or persons moving in the area. For example, the shopping area may include product storage units, shelves, racks, modules, bins, etc., and other walls, dividers, partitions, etc. that may be configured in different layouts or physical arrangements. In other example, persons or other movable objects may be freely and independently traveling through the shopping facility space. And in other example, the persons or movable objects move according to known travel patterns and timing. The facility may be any size of format facility, and may include products from one or more merchants. For example, a facility may be a single store operated by one merchant or may be a collection of stores covering multiple merchants such as a mall. Generally, the system makes use of automated, robotic mobile devices, e.g., motorized transport units, that are capable of self-powered movement through a space of the shopping facility and providing any number of functions. Movement and operation of such devices may be controlled by a central computer system or may be autonomously controlled by the motorized transport units themselves. Various embodiments provide one or more user interfaces to allow various users to interact with the system including the automated mobile devices and/or to directly interact with the automated mobile devices. In some embodiments, the automated mobile devices and the corresponding system serve to enhance a customer shopping experience in the shopping facility, e.g., by assisting shoppers and/or workers at the facility.

In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.

System Overview

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates embodiments of a shopping facility assistance system 100 that can serve to carry out at least some of the teachings set forth herein. It will be understood that the details of this example are intended to serve in an illustrative capacity and are not necessarily intended to suggest any limitations as regards the present teachings. It is noted that generally, FIGS. 1-5 describe the general functionality of several embodiments of a system, and FIGS. 7-11 expand on some functionalities of some embodiments of the system and/or embodiments independent of such systems.

In the example of FIG. 1, a shopping assistance system 100 is implemented in whole or in part at a shopping facility 101. Generally, the system 100 includes one or more motorized transport units (MTUs) 102; one or more item containers 104; a central computer system 106 having at least one control circuit 108, at least one memory 110 and at least one network interface 112; at least one user interface unit 114; a location determination system 116; at least one video camera 118; at least one motorized transport unit (MTU) dispenser 120; at least one motorized transport unit (MTU) docking station 122; at least one wireless network 124; at least one database 126; at least one user interface computer device 128; an item display module 130; and a locker or an item storage unit 132. It is understood that more or fewer of such components may be included in different embodiments of the system 100.

These motorized transport units 102 are located in the shopping facility 101 and are configured to move throughout the shopping facility space. Further details regarding such motorized transport units 102 appear further below. Generally speaking, these motorized transport units 102 are configured to either comprise, or to selectively couple to, a corresponding movable item container 104. A simple example of an item container 104 would be a shopping cart as one typically finds at many retail facilities, or a rocket cart, a flatbed cart or any other mobile basket or platform that may be used to gather items for potential purchase.

In some embodiments, these motorized transport units 102 wirelessly communicate with, and are wholly or largely controlled by, the central computer system 106. In particular, in some embodiments, the central computer system 106 is configured to control movement of the motorized transport units 102 through the shopping facility space based on a variety of inputs. For example, the central computer system 106 communicates with each motorized transport unit 102 via the wireless network 124 which may be one or more wireless networks of one or more wireless network types (such as, a wireless local area network, a wireless personal area network, a wireless mesh network, a wireless star network, a wireless wide area network, a cellular network, and so on), capable of providing wireless coverage of the desired range of the motorized transport units 102 according to any known wireless protocols, including but not limited to a cellular, Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Bluetooth network.

By one approach the central computer system 106 is a computer based device and includes at least one control circuit 108, at least one memory 110 and at least one wired and/or wireless network interface 112. Such a control circuit 108 can comprise a fixed-purpose hard-wired platform or can comprise a partially or wholly programmable platform, such as a microcontroller, an application specification integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, and so on. These architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. This control circuit 108 is configured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in the memory 110 as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein.

In this illustrative example the control circuit 108 operably couples to one or more memories 110. The memory 110 may be integral to the control circuit 108 or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from the control circuit 108 as desired. This memory 110 can also be local with respect to the control circuit 108 (where, for example, both share a common circuit board, chassis, power supply, and/or housing) or can be partially or wholly remote with respect to the control circuit 108 (where, for example, the memory 110 is physically located in another facility, metropolitan area, or even country as compared to the control circuit 108).

This memory 110 can serve, for example, to non-transitorily store the computer instructions that, when executed by the control circuit 108, cause the control circuit 108 to behave as described herein. (As used herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to refer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM) as well as volatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).)

Additionally, at least one database 126 may be accessible by the central computer system 106. Such databases may be integrated into the central computer system 106 or separate from it. Such databases may be at the location of the shopping facility 101 or remote from the shopping facility 101. Regardless of location, the databases comprise memory to store and organize certain data for use by the central control system 106. In some embodiments, the at least one database 126 may store data pertaining to one or more of: shopping facility mapping data, customer data, customer shopping data and patterns, inventory data, product pricing data, and so on.

In this illustrative example, the central computer system 106 also wirelessly communicates with a plurality of user interface units 114. These teachings will accommodate a variety of user interface units including, but not limited to, mobile and/or handheld electronic devices such as so-called smart phones and portable computers such as tablet/pad-styled computers. Generally speaking, these user interface units 114 should be able to wirelessly communicate with the central computer system 106 via a wireless network, such as the wireless network 124 of the shopping facility 101 (such as a Wi-Fi wireless network). These user interface units 114 generally provide a user interface for interaction with the system. In some embodiments, a given motorized transport unit 102 is paired with, associated with, assigned to or otherwise made to correspond with a given user interface unit 114. In some embodiments, these user interface units 114 should also be able to receive verbally-expressed input from a user and forward that content to the central computer system 106 or a motorized transport unit 102 and/or convert that verbally-expressed input into a form useful to the central computer system 106 or a motorized transport unit 102.

By one approach at least some of the user interface units 114 belong to corresponding customers who have come to the shopping facility 101 to shop. By another approach, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, at least some of the user interface units 114 belong to the shopping facility 101 and are loaned to individual customers to employ as described herein. In some embodiments, one or more user interface units 114 are attachable to a given movable item container 104 or are integrated with the movable item container 104. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more user interface units 114 may be those of shopping facility workers, belong to the shopping facility 101 and are loaned to the workers, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the user interface units 114 may be general purpose computer devices that include computer programming code to allow it to interact with the system 106. For example, such programming may be in the form of an application installed on the user interface unit 114 or in the form of a browser that displays a user interface provided by the central computer system 106 or other remote computer or server (such as a web server). In some embodiments, one or more user interface units 114 may be special purpose devices that are programmed to primarily function as a user interface for the system 100. Depending on the functionality and use case, user interface units 114 may be operated by customers of the shopping facility or may be operated by workers at the shopping facility, such as facility employees (associates or colleagues), vendors, suppliers, contractors, etc.

By one approach, the system 100 optionally includes one or more video cameras 118. Captured video imagery from such a video camera 118 can be provided to the central computer system 106. That information can then serve, for example, to help the central computer system 106 determine a present location of one or more of the motorized transport units 102 and/or determine issues or concerns regarding automated movement of those motorized transport units 102 in the shopping facility space. As one simple example in these regards, such video information can permit the central computer system 106, at least in part, to detect an object in a path of movement of a particular one of the motorized transport units 102.

By one approach these video cameras 118 comprise existing surveillance equipment employed at the shopping facility 101 to serve, for example, various security purposes. By another approach these video cameras 118 are dedicated to providing video content to the central computer system 106 to facilitate the latter's control of the motorized transport units 102. If desired, the video cameras 118 can have a selectively movable field of view and/or zoom capability that the central computer system 106 controls as appropriate to help ensure receipt of useful information at any given moment.

In some embodiments, a location detection system 116 is provided at the shopping facility 101. The location detection system 116 provides input to the central computer system 106 useful to help determine the location of one or more of the motorized transport units 102. In some embodiments, the location detection system 116 includes a series of light sources (e.g., LEDs (light-emitting diodes)) that are mounted in the ceiling at known positions throughout the space and that each encode data in the emitted light that identifies the source of the light (and thus, the location of the light). As a given motorized transport unit 102 moves through the space, light sensors (or light receivers) at the motorized transport unit 102, on the movable item container 104 and/or at the user interface unit 114 receive the light and can decode the data. This data is sent back to the central computer system 106 which can determine the position of the motorized transport unit 102 by the data of the light it receives, since it can relate the light data to a mapping of the light sources to locations at the facility 101. Generally, such lighting systems are known and commercially available, e.g., the ByteLight system from ByteLight of Boston, Mass. In embodiments using a ByteLight system, a typical display screen of the typical smart phone device can be used as a light sensor or light receiver to receive and process data encoded into the light from the ByteLight light sources.

In other embodiments, the location detection system 116 includes a series of low energy radio beacons (e.g., Bluetooth low energy beacons) at known positions throughout the space and that each encode data in the emitted radio signal that identifies the beacon (and thus, the location of the beacon). As a given motorized transport unit 102 moves through the space, low energy receivers at the motorized transport unit 102, on the movable item container 104 and/or at the user interface unit 114 receive the radio signal and can decode the data. This data is sent back to the central computer system 106 which can determine the position of the motorized transport unit 102 by the location encoded in the radio signal it receives, since it can relate the location data to a mapping of the low energy radio beacons to locations at the facility 101. Generally, such low energy radio systems are known and commercially available. In embodiments using a Bluetooth low energy radio system, a typical Bluetooth radio of a typical smart phone device can be used as a receiver to receive and process data encoded into the Bluetooth low energy radio signals from the Bluetooth low energy beacons.

In still other embodiments, the location detection system 116 includes a series of audio beacons at known positions throughout the space and that each encode data in the emitted audio signal that identifies the beacon (and thus, the location of the beacon). As a given motorized transport unit 102 moves through the space, microphones at the motorized transport unit 102, on the movable item container 104 and/or at the user interface unit 114 receive the audio signal and can decode the data. This data is sent back to the central computer system 106 which can determine the position of the motorized transport unit 102 by the location encoded in the audio signal it receives, since it can relate the location data to a mapping of the audio beacons to locations at the facility 101. Generally, such audio beacon systems are known and commercially available. In embodiments using an audio beacon system, a typical microphone of a typical smart phone device can be used as a receiver to receive and process data encoded into the audio signals from the audio beacon.

Also optionally, the central computer system 106 can operably couple to one or more user interface computers 128 (comprising, for example, a display and a user input interface such as a keyboard, touch screen, and/or cursor-movement device). Such a user interface computer 128 can permit, for example, a worker (e.g., an associate, analyst, etc.) at the retail or shopping facility 101 to monitor the operations of the central computer system 106 and/or to attend to any of a variety of administrative, configuration or evaluation tasks as may correspond to the programming and operation of the central computer system 106. Such user interface computers 128 may be at or remote from the location of the facility 101 and may access one or more the databases 126.

In some embodiments, the system 100 includes at least one motorized transport unit (MTU) storage unit or dispenser 120 at various locations in the shopping facility 101. The dispenser 120 provides for storage of motorized transport units 102 that are ready to be assigned to customers and/or workers. In some embodiments, the dispenser 120 takes the form of a cylinder within which motorized transports units 102 are stacked and released through the bottom of the dispenser 120. Further details of such embodiments are provided further below. In some embodiments, the dispenser 120 may be fixed in location or may be mobile and capable of transporting itself to a given location or utilizing a motorized transport unit 102 to transport the dispenser 120, then dispense one or more motorized transport units 102.

In some embodiments, the system 100 includes at least one motorized transport unit (MTU) docking station 122. These docking stations 122 provide locations where motorized transport units 102 can travel and connect to. For example, the motorized transport units 102 may be stored and charged at the docking station 122 for later use, and/or may be serviced at the docking station 122.

In accordance with some embodiments, a given motorized transport unit 102 detachably connects to a movable item container 104 and is configured to move the movable item container 104 through the shopping facility space under control of the central computer system 106 and/or the user interface unit 114. For example, a motorized transport unit 102 can move to a position underneath a movable item container 104 (such as a shopping cart, a rocket cart, a flatbed cart, or any other mobile basket or platform), align itself with the movable item container 104 (e.g., using sensors) and then raise itself to engage an undersurface of the movable item container 104 and lift a portion of the movable item container 104. Once the motorized transport unit is cooperating with the movable item container 104 (e.g., lifting a portion of the movable item container), the motorized transport unit 102 can continue to move throughout the facility space 101 taking the movable item container 104 with it. In some examples, the motorized transport unit 102 takes the form of the motorized transport unit 202 of FIGS. 2A-3B as it engages and detachably connects to a given movable item container 104. It is understood that in other embodiments, the motorized transport unit 102 may not lift a portion of the movable item container 104, but that it removably latches to, connects to or otherwise attaches to a portion of the movable item container 104 such that the movable item container 104 can be moved by the motorized transport unit 102. For example, the motorized transport unit 102 can connect to a given movable item container using a hook, a mating connector, a magnet, and so on.

In addition to detachably coupling to movable item containers 104 (such as shopping carts), in some embodiments, motorized transport units 102 can move to and engage or connect to an item display module 130 and/or an item storage unit or locker 132. For example, an item display module 130 may take the form of a mobile display rack or shelving unit configured to house and display certain items for sale. It may be desired to position the display module 130 at various locations within the shopping facility 101 at various times. Thus, one or more motorized transport units 102 may move (as controlled by the central computer system 106) underneath the item display module 130, extend upward to lift the module 130 and then move it to the desired location. A storage locker 132 may be a storage device where items for purchase are collected and placed therein for a customer and/or worker to later retrieve. In some embodiments, one or more motorized transport units 102 may be used to move the storage locker to a desired location in the shopping facility 101. Similar to how a motorized transport unit engages a movable item container 104 or item display module 130, one or more motorized transport units 102 may move (as controlled by the central computer system 106) underneath the storage locker 132, extend upward to lift the locker 132 and then move it to the desired location.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate some embodiments of a motorized transport unit 202, similar to the motorized transport unit 102 shown in the system of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the motorized transport unit 202 takes the form of a disc-shaped robotic device having motorized wheels (not shown), a lower body portion 204 and an upper body portion 206 that fits over at least part of the lower body portion 204. It is noted that in other embodiments, the motorized transport unit may have other shapes and/or configurations, and is not limited to disc-shaped. For example, the motorized transport unit may be cubic, octagonal, triangular, or other shapes, and may be dependent on a movable item container with which the motorized transport unit is intended to cooperate. Also included are guide members 208. In FIG. 2A, the motorized transport unit 202 is shown in a retracted position in which the upper body portion 206 fits over the lower body portion 204 such that the motorized transport unit 202 is in its lowest profile orientation which is generally the preferred orientation for movement when it is unattached to a movable item container 104 for example. In FIG. 2B, the motorized transport unit 202 is shown in an extended position in which the upper body portion 206 is moved upward relative to the lower body portion 204 such that the motorized transport unit 202 is in its highest profile orientation for movement when it is lifting and attaching to a movable item container 104 for example. The mechanism within the motorized transport unit 202 is designed to provide sufficient lifting force to lift the weight of the upper body portion 206 and other objects to be lifted by the motorized transport unit 202, such as movable item containers 104 and items placed within the movable item container, item display modules 130 and items supported by the item display module, and storage lockers 132 and items placed within the storage locker. The guide members 208 are embodied as pegs or shafts that extend horizontally from the both the upper body portion 206 and the lower body portion 204. In some embodiments, these guide members 208 assist docking the motorized transport unit 202 to a docking station 122 or a dispenser 120. In some embodiments, the lower body portion 204 and the upper body portion are capable to moving independently of each other. For example, the upper body portion 206 may be raised and/or rotated relative to the lower body portion 204. That is, one or both of the upper body portion 206 and the lower body portion 204 may move toward/away from the other or rotated relative to the other. In some embodiments, in order to raise the upper body portion 206 relative to the lower body portion 204, the motorized transport unit 202 includes an internal lifting system (e.g., including one or more electric actuators or rotary drives or motors). Numerous examples of such motorized lifting and rotating systems are known in the art. Accordingly, further elaboration in these regards is not provided here for the sake of brevity.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate some embodiments of the motorized transport unit 202 detachably engaging a movable item container embodied as a shopping cart 302. In FIG. 3A, the motorized transport unit 202 is in the orientation of FIG. 2A such that it is retracted and able to move in position underneath a portion of the shopping cart 302. Once the motorized transport unit 202 is in position (e.g., using sensors), as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the motorized transport unit 202 is moved to the extended position of FIG. 2B such that the front portion 304 of the shopping cart is lifted off of the ground by the motorized transport unit 202, with the wheels 306 at the rear of the shopping cart 302 remaining on the ground. In this orientation, the motorized transport unit 202 is able to move the shopping cart 302 throughout the shopping facility. It is noted that in these embodiments, the motorized transport unit 202 does not bear the weight of the entire cart 302 since the rear wheels 306 rest on the floor. It is understood that in some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 202 may be configured to detachably engage other types of movable item containers, such as rocket carts, flatbed carts or other mobile baskets or platforms.

FIG. 4 presents a more detailed example of some embodiments of the motorized transport unit 102 of FIG. 1. In this example, the motorized transport unit 102 has a housing 402 that contains (partially or fully) or at least supports and carries a number of components. These components include a control unit 404 comprising a control circuit 406 that, like the control circuit 108 of the central computer system 106, controls the general operations of the motorized transport unit 102. Accordingly, the control unit 404 also includes a memory 408 coupled to the control circuit 406 and that stores, for example, operating instructions and/or useful data.

The control circuit 406 operably couples to a motorized wheel system 410. This motorized wheel system 410 functions as a locomotion system to permit the motorized transport unit 102 to move within the aforementioned retail or shopping facility 101 (thus, the motorized wheel system 410 may more generically be referred to as a locomotion system). Generally speaking, this motorized wheel system 410 will include at least one drive wheel (i.e., a wheel that rotates (around a horizontal axis) under power to thereby cause the motorized transport unit 102 to move through interaction with, for example, the floor of the shopping facility 101). The motorized wheel system 410 can include any number of rotating wheels and/or other floor-contacting mechanisms as may be desired and/or appropriate to the application setting.

The motorized wheel system 410 also includes a steering mechanism of choice. One simple example in these regards comprises one or more of the aforementioned wheels that can swivel about a vertical axis to thereby cause the moving motorized transport unit 102 to turn as well.

Numerous examples of motorized wheel systems are known in the art. Accordingly, further elaboration in these regards is not provided here for the sake of brevity save to note that the aforementioned control circuit 406 is configured to control the various operating states of the motorized wheel system 410 to thereby control when and how the motorized wheel system 410 operates.

In this illustrative example, the control circuit 406 also operably couples to at least one wireless transceiver 412 that operates according to any known wireless protocol. This wireless transceiver 412 can comprise, for example, a Wi-Fi-compatible and/or Bluetooth-compatible transceiver that can communicate with the aforementioned central computer system 106 via the aforementioned wireless network 124 of the shopping facility 101. So configured the control circuit 406 of the motorized transport unit 102 can provide information to the central computer system 106 and can receive information and/or instructions from the central computer system 106. As one simple example in these regards, the control circuit 406 can receive instructions from the central computer system 106 regarding movement of the motorized transport unit 102.

These teachings will accommodate using any of a wide variety of wireless technologies as desired and/or as may be appropriate in a given application setting. These teachings will also accommodate employing two or more different wireless transceivers 412 if desired.

The control circuit 406 also couples to one or more on-board sensors 414. These teachings will accommodate a wide variety of sensor technologies and form factors. By one approach at least one such sensor 414 can comprise a light sensor or light receiver. When the aforementioned location detection system 116 comprises a plurality of light emitters disposed at particular locations within the shopping facility 101, such a light sensor can provide information that the control circuit 406 and/or the central computer system 106 employs to determine a present location and/or orientation of the motorized transport unit 102.

As another example, such a sensor 414 can comprise a distance measurement unit configured to detect a distance between the motorized transport unit 102 and one or more objects or surfaces around the motorized transport unit 102 (such as an object that lies in a projected path of movement for the motorized transport unit 102 through the shopping facility 101). These teachings will accommodate any of a variety of distance measurement units including optical units and sound/ultrasound units. In one example, a sensor 414 comprises a laser distance sensor device capable of determining a distance to objects in proximity to the sensor. In some embodiments, a sensor 414 comprises an optical based scanning device to sense and read optical patterns in proximity to the sensor, such as bar codes variously located on structures in the shopping facility 101. In some embodiments, a sensor 414 comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader capable of reading RFID tags in proximity to the sensor. Such sensors may be useful to determine proximity to nearby objects, avoid collisions, orient the motorized transport unit at a proper alignment orientation to engage a movable item container, and so on.

The foregoing examples are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to convey an exhaustive listing of all possible sensors. Instead, it will be understood that these teachings will accommodate sensing any of a wide variety of circumstances or phenomena to support the operating functionality of the motorized transport unit 102 in a given application setting.

By one optional approach an audio input 416 (such as a microphone) and/or an audio output 418 (such as a speaker) can also operably couple to the control circuit 406. So configured the control circuit 406 can provide a variety of audible sounds to thereby communicate with a user of the motorized transport unit 102, other persons in the vicinity of the motorized transport unit 102, or even other motorized transport units 102 in the area. These audible sounds can include any of a variety of tones and other non-verbal sounds. These audible sounds can also include, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, pre-recorded or synthesized speech.

The audio input 416, in turn, provides a mechanism whereby, for example, a user provides verbal input to the control circuit 406. That verbal input can comprise, for example, instructions, inquiries, or information. So configured, a user can provide, for example, a question to the motorized transport unit 102 (such as, “Where are the towels?”). The control circuit 406 can cause that verbalized question to be transmitted to the central computer system 106 via the motorized transport unit's wireless transceiver 412. The central computer system 106 can process that verbal input to recognize the speech content and to then determine an appropriate response. That response might comprise, for example, transmitting back to the motorized transport unit 102 specific instructions regarding how to move the motorized transport unit 102 (via the aforementioned motorized wheel system 410) to the location in the shopping facility 101 where the towels are displayed.

In this example the motorized transport unit 102 includes a rechargeable power source 420 such as one or more batteries. The power provided by the rechargeable power source 420 can be made available to whichever components of the motorized transport unit 102 require electrical energy. By one approach the motorized transport unit 102 includes a plug or other electrically conductive interface that the control circuit 406 can utilize to automatically connect to an external source of electrical energy to thereby recharge the rechargeable power source 420.

By one approach the motorized transport unit 102 comprises an integral part of a movable item container 104 such as a grocery cart. As used herein, this reference to “integral” will be understood to refer to a non-temporary combination and joinder that is sufficiently complete so as to consider the combined elements to be as one. Such a joinder can be facilitated in a number of ways including by securing the motorized transport unit housing 402 to the item container using bolts or other threaded fasteners as versus, for example, a clip.

These teachings will also accommodate selectively and temporarily attaching the motorized transport unit 102 to an item container 104. In such a case the motorized transport unit 102 can include a movable item container coupling structure 422. By one approach this movable item container coupling structure 422 operably couples to a control circuit to thereby permit the latter to control, for example, the latched and unlatched states of the movable item container coupling structure 422. So configured, by one approach the control circuit 406 can automatically and selectively move the motorized transport unit 102 (via the motorized wheel system 410) towards a particular item container until the movable item container coupling structure 422 can engage the item container to thereby temporarily physically couple the motorized transport unit 102 to the item container. So latched, the motorized transport unit 102 can then cause the item container to move with the motorized transport unit 102. In embodiments such as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-3B, the movable item container coupling structure 422 includes a lifting system (e.g., including an electric drive or motor) to cause a portion of the body or housing 402 to engage and lift a portion of the item container off of the ground such that the motorized transport unit 102 can carry a portion of the item container. In other embodiments, the movable transport unit latches to a portion of the movable item container without lifting a portion thereof off of the ground.

In either case, by combining the motorized transport unit 102 with an item container, and by controlling movement of the motorized transport unit 102 via the aforementioned central computer system 106, these teachings will facilitate a wide variety of useful ways to assist both customers and associates in a shopping facility setting. For example, the motorized transport unit 102 can be configured to follow a particular customer as they shop within the shopping facility 101. The customer can then place items they intend to purchase into the item container that is associated with the motorized transport unit 102.

In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 102 includes an input/output (I/O) device 424 that is coupled to the control circuit 406. The I/O device 424 allows an external device to couple to the control unit 404. The function and purpose of connecting devices will depend on the application. In some examples, devices connecting to the I/O device 424 may add functionality to the control unit 404, allow the exporting of data from the control unit 404, allow the diagnosing of the motorized transport unit 102, and so on.

In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 102 includes a user interface 426 including for example, user inputs and/or user outputs or displays depending on the intended interaction with the user. For example, user inputs could include any input device such as buttons, knobs, switches, touch sensitive surfaces or display screens, and so on. Example user outputs include lights, display screens, and so on. The user interface 426 may work together with or separate from any user interface implemented at a user interface unit 114 (such as a smart phone or tablet device).

The control unit 404 includes a memory 408 coupled to the control circuit 406 and that stores, for example, operating instructions and/or useful data. The control circuit 406 can comprise a fixed-purpose hard-wired platform or can comprise a partially or wholly programmable platform. These architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. This control circuit 406 is configured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in the memory 408 as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein. The memory 408 may be integral to the control circuit 406 or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from the control circuit 406 as desired. This memory 408 can also be local with respect to the control circuit 406 (where, for example, both share a common circuit board, chassis, power supply, and/or housing) or can be partially or wholly remote with respect to the control circuit 406. This memory 408 can serve, for example, to non-transitorily store the computer instructions that, when executed by the control circuit 406, cause the control circuit 406 to behave as described herein. (As used herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to refer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM) as well as volatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).)

It is noted that not all components illustrated in FIG. 4 are included in all embodiments of the motorized transport unit 102. That is, some components may be optional depending on the implementation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram that may generally represent any number of various electronic components of the system 100 that are computer type devices. The computer device 500 includes a control circuit 502, a memory 504, a user interface 506 and an input/output (I/O) interface 508 providing any type of wired and/or wireless connectivity to the computer device 500, all coupled to a communication bus 510 to allow data and signaling to pass therebetween. Generally, the control circuit 502 and the memory 504 may be referred to as a control unit. The control circuit 502, the memory 504, the user interface 506 and the I/O interface 508 may be any of the devices described herein or as understood in the art. The functionality of the computer device 500 will depend on the programming stored in the memory 504. The computer device 500 may represent a high level diagram for one or more of the central computer system 106, the motorized transport unit 102, the user interface unit 114, the location detection system 116, the user interface computer 128, the MTU docking station 122 and the MTU dispenser 120, or any other device or component in the system that is implemented as a computer device.

Additional Features Overview

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5, the shopping assistance system 100 may implement one or more of several different features depending on the configuration of the system and its components. The following provides a brief description of several additional features that could be implemented by the system. One or more of these features could also be implemented in other systems separate from embodiments of the system. This is not meant to be an exhaustive description of all features and not meant to be an exhaustive description of the details any one of the features. Further details with regards to one or more features beyond this overview may be provided herein.

Tagalong Steering: This feature allows a given motorized transport unit 102 to lead or follow a user (e.g., a customer and/or a worker) throughout the shopping facility 101. For example, the central computer system 106 uses the location detection system 116 to determine the location of the motorized transport unit 102. For example, LED smart lights (e.g., the ByteLight system) of the location detection system 116 transmit a location number to smart devices which are with the customer (e.g., user interface units 114), and/or on the item container 104/motorized transport unit 102. The central computer system 106 receives the LED location numbers received by the smart devices through the wireless network 124. Using this information, in some embodiments, the central computer system 106 uses a grid placed upon a 2D CAD map and 3D point cloud model (e.g., from the databases 126) to direct, track, and plot paths for the other devices. Using the grid, the motorized transport unit 102 can drive a movable item container 104 in a straight path rather than zigzagging around the facility. As the user moves from one grid to another, the motorized transport unit 102 drives the container 104 from one grid to the other. In some embodiments, as the user moves towards the motorized transport unit, it stays still until the customer moves beyond an adjoining grid.

Detecting Objects: In some embodiments, motorized transport units 102 detect objects through several sensors mounted on motorized transport unit 102, through independent cameras (e.g., video cameras 118), through sensors of a corresponding movable item container 104, and through communications with the central computer system 106. In some embodiments, with semi-autonomous capabilities, the motorized transport unit 102 will attempt to avoid obstacles, and if unable to avoid, it will notify the central computer system 106 of an exception condition. In some embodiments, using sensors 414 (such as distance measurement units, e.g., laser or other optical-based distance measurement sensors), the motorized transport unit 102 detects obstacles in its path, and will move to avoid, or stop until the obstacle is clear.

Visual Remote Steering: This feature enables movement and/or operation of a motorized transport unit 102 to be controlled by a user on-site, off-site, or anywhere in the world. This is due to the architecture of some embodiments where the central computer system 106 outputs the control signals to the motorized transport unit 102. These controls signals could have originated at any device in communication with the central computer system 106. For example, the movement signals sent to the motorized transport unit 102 may be movement instructions determined by the central computer system 106; commands received at a user interface unit 114 from a user; and commands received at the central computer system 106 from a remote user not located at the shopping facility space.

Determining Location: Similar to that described above, this feature enables the central computer system 106 to determine the location of devices in the shopping facility 101. For example, the central computer system 106 maps received LED light transmissions, Bluetooth low energy radio signals or audio signals (or other received signals encoded with location data) to a 2D map of the shopping facility. Objects within the area of the shopping facility are also mapped and associated with those transmissions. Using this information, the central computer system 106 can determine the location of devices such as motorized transport units.

Digital Physical Map Integration: In some embodiments, the system 100 is capable of integrating 2D and 3D maps of the shopping facility with physical locations of objects and workers. Once the central computer system 106 maps all objects to specific locations using algorithms, measurements and LED geo-location, for example, grids are applied which sections off the maps into access ways and blocked sections. Motorized transport units 102 use these grids for navigation and recognition. In some cases, grids are applied to 2D horizontal maps along with 3D models. In some cases, grids start at a higher unit level and then can be broken down into smaller units of measure by the central computer system 106 when needed to provide more accuracy.

Calling a Motorized Transport Unit: This feature provides multiple methods to request and schedule a motorized transport unit 102 for assistance in the shopping facility. In some embodiments, users can request use of a motorized transport unit 102 through the user interface unit 114. The central computer system 106 can check to see if there is an available motorized transport unit. Once assigned to a given user, other users will not be able to control the already assigned transport unit. Workers, such as store associates, may also reserve multiple motorized transport units in order to accomplish a coordinated large job.

Locker Delivery: In some embodiments, one or more motorized transport units 102 may be used to pick, pack, and deliver items to a particular storage locker 132. The motorized transport units 102 can couple to and move the storage locker to a desired location. In some embodiments, once delivered, the requestor will be notified that the items are ready to be picked up, and will be provided the locker location and locker security code key.

Route Optimization: In some embodiments, the central computer system automatically generates a travel route for one or more motorized transport units through the shopping facility space. In some embodiments, this route is based on one or more of a user provided list of items entered by the user via a user interface unit 114; user selected route preferences entered by the user via the user interface unit 114; user profile data received from a user information database (e.g., from one of databases 126); and product availability information from a retail inventory database (e.g., from one of databases 126). In some cases, the route intends to minimize the time it takes to get through the facility, and in some cases, may route the shopper to the least busy checkout area. Frequently, there will be multiple possible optimum routes. The route chosen may take the user by things the user is more likely to purchase (in case they forgot something), and away from things they are not likely to buy (to avoid embarrassment). That is, routing a customer through sporting goods, women's lingerie, baby food, or feminine products, who has never purchased such products based on past customer behavior would be non-productive, and potentially embarrassing to the customer. In some cases, a route may be determined from multiple possible routes based on past shopping behavior, e.g., if the customer typically buys a cold Diet Coke product, children's shoes or power tools, this information would be used to add weight to the best alternative routes, and determine the route accordingly.

Store Facing Features: In some embodiments, these features enable functions to support workers in performing store functions. For example, the system can assist workers to know what products and items are on the shelves and which ones need attention. For example, using 3D scanning and point cloud measurements, the central computer system can determine where products are supposed to be, enabling workers to be alerted to facing or zoning of issues along with potential inventory issues.

Phone Home: This feature allows users in a shopping facility 101 to be able to contact remote users who are not at the shopping facility 101 and include them in the shopping experience. For example, the user interface unit 114 may allow the user to place a voice call, a video call, or send a text message. With video call capabilities, a remote person can virtually accompany an in-store shopper, visually sharing the shopping experience while seeing and talking with the shopper. One or more remote shoppers may join the experience.

Returns: In some embodiments, the central computer system 106 can task a motorized transport unit 102 to keep the returns area clear of returned merchandise. For example, the transport unit may be instructed to move a cart from the returns area to a different department or area. Such commands may be initiated from video analytics (the central computer system analyzing camera footage showing a cart full), from an associate command (digital or verbal), or on a schedule, as other priority tasks allow. The motorized transport unit 102 can first bring an empty cart to the returns area, prior to removing a full one.

Bring a Container: One or more motorized transport units can retrieve a movable item container 104 (such as a shopping cart) to use. For example, upon a customer or worker request, the motorized transport unit 102 can re-position one or more item containers 104 from one location to another. In some cases, the system instructs the motorized transport unit where to obtain an empty item container for use. For example, the system can recognize an empty and idle item container that has been abandoned or instruct that one be retrieved from a cart storage area. In some cases, the call to retrieve an item container may be initiated through a call button placed throughout the facility, or through the interface of a user interface unit 114.

Respond to Voice Commands: In some cases, control of a given motorized transport unit is implemented through the acceptance of voice commands. For example, the user may speak voice commands to the motorized transport unit 102 itself and/or to the user interface unit 114. In some embodiments, a voice print is used to authorize to use of a motorized transport unit 102 to allow voice commands from single user at a time.

Retrieve Abandoned Item Containers: This feature allows the central computer system to track movement of movable item containers in and around the area of the shopping facility 101, including both the sale floor areas and the back-room areas. For example, using visual recognition through store cameras 118 or through user interface units 114, the central computer system 106 can identify abandoned and out-of-place movable item containers. In some cases, each movable item container has a transmitter or smart device which will send a unique identifier to facilitate tracking or other tasks and its position using LED geo-location identification. Using LED geo-location identification with the Determining Location feature through smart devices on each cart, the central computer system 106 can determine the length of time a movable item container 104 is stationary.

Stocker Assistance: This feature allows the central computer system to track movement of merchandise flow into and around the back-room areas. For example, using visual recognition and captured images, the central computer system 106 can determine if carts are loaded or not for moving merchandise between the back room areas and the sale floor areas. Tasks or alerts may be sent to workers to assign tasks.

Self-Docking: Motorized transport units 102 will run low or out of power when used. Before this happens, the motorized transport units 102 need to recharge to stay in service. According to this feature, motorized transport units 102 will self-dock and recharge (e.g., at a MTU docking station 122) to stay at maximum efficiency, when not in use. When use is completed, the motorized transport unit 102 will return to a docking station 122. In some cases, if the power is running low during use, a replacement motorized transport unit can be assigned to move into position and replace the motorized transport unit with low power. The transition from one unit to the next can be seamless to the user.

Item Container Retrieval: With this feature, the central computer system 106 can cause multiple motorized transport units 102 to retrieve abandoned item containers from exterior areas such as parking lots. For example, multiple motorized transport units are loaded into a movable dispenser, e.g., the motorized transport units are vertically stacked in the dispenser. The dispenser is moved to the exterior area and the transport units are dispensed. Based on video analytics, it is determined which item containers 104 are abandoned and for how long. A transport unit will attach to an abandoned cart and return it to a storage bay.

Motorized Transport Unit Dispenser: This feature provides the movable dispenser that contains and moves a group of motorized transport units to a given area (e.g., an exterior area such as a parking lot) to be dispensed for use. For example, motorized transport units can be moved to the parking lot to retrieve abandoned item containers 104. In some cases, the interior of the dispenser includes helically wound guide rails that mate with the guide member 208 to allow the motorized transport units to be guided to a position to be dispensed.

Specialized Module Retrieval: This feature allows the system 100 to track movement of merchandise flow into and around the sales floor areas and the back-room areas including special modules that may be needed to move to the sales floor. For example, using video analytics, the system can determine if a modular unit it loaded or empty. Such modular units may house items that are of seasonal or temporary use on the sales floor. For example, when it is raining, it is useful to move a module unit displaying umbrellas from a back room area (or a lesser accessed area of the sales floor) to a desired area of the sales floor area.

Authentication: This feature uses a voice imprint with an attention code/word to authenticate a user to a given motorized transport unit. One motorized transport unit can be swapped for another using this authentication. For example, a token is used during the session with the user. The token is a unique identifier for the session which is dropped once the session is ended. A logical token may be a session id used by the application of the user interface unit 114 to establish the session id when user logs on and when deciding to do use the system 100. In some embodiments, communications throughout the session are encrypted using SSL or other methods at transport level.

Further Details of Some Embodiments

In accordance with some embodiments, further details are now provided for one or more of these and other features. For example, generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses, processes and methods are provided herein that allow multiple customers to participate in a cooperative shopping experience. Often, one customer may not be able to get to a shopping facility and instead another shopper may go to the shopping facility to obtain desired products. Some embodiments allow a customer local at the shopping facility to be associated with a remote customer that is typically not at the shopping facility and provide a cooperative shopping experience through, in part, the distribution of information with each of the local and remote customers, and typically associate both the local and remote customers with a single motorized transport unit that moves through the shopping facility. Product information corresponding to products being viewed and/or considered by the local customer can be provided to the remote customer enhancing the cooperative experience.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary shopping facility assistance system 600 (sometimes referred to as a cooperative shopping management system), similar to that of FIG. 1, as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings. The shopping assistance system 600 includes the components of FIG. 1, and further illustrates communication with devices and/or systems external to the shopping facility 601 over one or more external wired and/or wireless distributed communication networks 624. The shopping assistance system 600 is configured to provide, at least in part, a multi-customer cooperative shopping experience, in accordance with some embodiments. The shopping facility assistance system associates both a local customer that is physically located at the shopping facility and a remote customer with a single motorized transport unit 102 (MTU) configured to removably couple with a movable item container 104 (MIC) such that the local customer and the remote customer are both simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit 102 at the same time during at least a portion of a period of time that the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit. Typically, the remote customer is located remote from the shopping facility; however, in some instances, the remote customer may be at the shopping facility allowing the remote customer to move away from the local customer while still participating in the shopping experience.

The shopping facility assistance system 600 includes the central computer system or circuit 106 (sometimes referred to as a central controller), multiple motorized transport units 102 associated with the shopping facility, and multiple movable item containers 104, with at least the central computer system 106 and the motorized transport units 102 in communication through a wired and/or wireless distributed communication network (e.g., WAN, LAN, Internet, cellular, other such networks, and combinations of such networks), which typically includes at least the wireless network 124. Further, the shopping facility assistance system is configured to communicate with and/or include multiple user interface units 114 (UIU) that can be associated with a motorized transport unit 102 and/or a movable item container 104.

The central computer system 106 is further configured to communicate via one or more wired and/or wireless distributed communication networks 624 with remote user interface units 114 that are each associated with one of multiple remote customers. Through the remote user interface units 114 the remote customers can be temporarily associated with a motorized transport unit that is also temporarily associated with a local customer. In some embodiments, the remote customers may communicate with the central computer system 106 through one or more services or servers 626 accessible over the distributed communication network 624. The server 626 may provide routing to a relevant central computer system 106 at a desired shopping facility of a plurality of different shopping facilities that are geographically distributed. For example, the server may be operated by a chain of shopping facilities that is initially accessed through application software implemented on the remote customer's user interface unit 114. Upon access to the server, the server can route the user interface unit to a relevant central computer system 106 and/or continue to route communications between the central computer system or a desired retail facility and the user interface unit. Accordingly, in some embodiments the central computer system is configured to establish and provide a cooperative shopping experience between the local customer and the remote customer that are both associated with the same motorized transport unit.

The motorized transport units 102 are self-propelled and configured to move themselves throughout at least some, if not all of the shopping facility. In some embodiments, the motorized transport units 102 wirelessly receive commands from the central computer system 106 (or the control circuit) to direct the motorized transport units to desired locations and/or along desired routes within or outside of the shopping facility. The motorized transport units may additionally or alternatively be configured to operate autonomously and/or at least partially autonomously from the central computer system (CCS). Further, in some embodiments, the motorized transport units 102 are configured to be fixed with or removably coupled with the movable item containers 104 to move the movable item containers throughout authorized areas of the shopping facility, and in some instances outside of the shopping facility.

In some embodiments, the shopping facility assistance system 600 further includes one or more databases 126 that can be accessed by at least the central computer system 106. The databases 126 can store substantially any relevant information such as but not limited to customer information (e.g., customer profiles, log-in information, contact information, types of user interface units used by the customer, etc.), product information (e.g., inventory, types of products, details about products, pricing, etc.), retail facility information, motorized transport unit identifying information, capabilities of the motorized transport units, movable item container identifying information, location information, store mapping information, lighting patterns, light source identifiers, light source mapping, commands, codes, code location mapping, software, applications, executables, log and/or historic information, other such relevant information, and typically a combination of two or more of such information. Similarly, some or all of the information stored and/or accessible through the databases may be stored at one or more of the central computer system 106, the motorized transport units 102, the movable item containers 104, the user interface units 114, and the like. Further, in some implementations, one or more databases 126 may be external to the shopping facility assistance system.

The central computer system 106 of the shopping facility assistance system 600, in part, authorizes the association and/or associates local customers with motorized transport units 102, and can similarly authorize the association and/or associates remote customers with motorized transport units. In some embodiments, a remote customer is not associated with a motorized transport unit until such association is authorized by a local customer that is associated with or is being associated with the motorized transport unit. Further, in some implementations, the local and/or remote customers may not be associated with the motorized transport unit, and instead associated with a movable item container, a user interface unit associated with and/or fixed with a movable item container, a shopping facility supplied user interface unit, or the like.

The authorization to associate a customer with a motorized transport unit is typically limited to customers that have registered to participate in being associated with a motorized transport unit or otherwise opted in to utilize the cooperative shopping experience. Such registration can include, for example, downloading one or more application software and/or programs (APP) on the customer's user interface unit 114, creating a customer profile, or other such registration. The registration can include obtaining relevant customer information such name, address, user name, password(s), contact information (e.g., phone number, email, etc.), information about one or more user interface devices (e.g., platform, phone number, etc.), and other such information. In some instances, the registration information may further include methods of payment (e.g., one or more credit cards, secure electronic payment methods, etc.), preferences, and other relevant information.

The central computer system 106 and/or one or more remote servers 626 maintain the customer profile information and update the information based on the customer's interaction, purchases, product interests, coupon tracking and use, shopping lists, and other such information. Similarly, the customer profile information may include information that associates the customer with other customers, such as same address, customer specified associations, authorization to allow a customer to be simultaneously associated with a motorized transport unit, and other such information. In some embodiments, repeat customers can have frequently used numbers recorded, such as for speed-dial shortcuts, which may be provided to the customer (e.g., on a display on the movable item container). For example, a logged-in customer can utilize the motorized transport unit to cause the central computer system to initiate a communication by requesting contact to “home” or “Mom”, such that the central computer system accesses the corresponding customer profile to identify relevant contact information. Similarly, in some implementations, the motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container may include wireless communication capabilities, such as cellular phone capabilities to initiate a call directly from the motorized transport unit or movable item container in response to instructions from the central computer system and/or the local customer.

Further, in some embodiments, the motorized transport unit and/or the central computer system is configured to translate text to speech and speech to text, which can in part provide for hands free communication across various media types. For example, the motorized transport unit and/or the central computer system can translate speech from the local customer to text messaging and back. Text messages sent to the central computer system or motorized transport unit can similarly be translated to speech. Vocabulary filters may be applied, such as to minimize miscommunications and abuse. Further, in some instances, the motorized transport unit and/or the central computer system can autonomously initiate communications (e.g., make a call) on behalf of a customer when a set of criteria are met. For example, the central computer system can contact a customer to remind them of a reservation, a video call to a retail associate may be initiated for pre-defined events or when set conditions occur, and the like. In some implementations the motorized transport unit and/or movable item container can act as an access point (e.g., a Wi-Fi hotspot) to allow a customer to call without consuming wireless carrier minutes or adding to their data usage.

The shopping facility personal assistance system 600 may be utilized with a single shopping facility (e.g., such as a store location, shopping mall, retail campus or the like), while in other implementations, the shopping assistance system may extend across multiple shopping facility locations. For simplicity, the embodiments herein are described with respect to a single shopping facility. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some embodiments can be applicable to multiple shopping facilities and/or the management of cooperative shopping experiences at one or more shopping facilities. Further, the shopping assistance system may be operated local at a shopping facility location or remote from the shopping facility location.

The motorized transport units 102 are configured to move themselves throughout at least some, if not all of the shopping facility. Typically, the motorized transport units 102 wirelessly receive commands, instructions, route information and/or mapping information from the central computer system, which may include a location controller and/or route controller that can direct the motorized transport units to desired locations and/or along desired routes within or outside of the shopping facility. Further, in some embodiments, the motorized transport units 102 are configured to be fixed with or removably coupled with the movable item containers 104 to move the movable item containers throughout authorized areas of the shopping facility, and in some instances outside of the shopping facility. The movable item containers 104 are configured to be used by customers and/or shopping facility worker (e.g., associates or other employees) in transporting products through the shopping facility. For example, in some embodiments, the movable item containers can be baskets, bins, wheeled carts, wheeled pallets, advertising systems, and/or other such movable item containers.

In some embodiments, the motorized transport units 102 and/or the movable item containers 104 provide information to the central computer system 106 to at least allow the central computer system to facilitate the association of the customers. Typically, the motorized transport units 102 are configured with one or more detection systems (e.g., sensors, detectors, measurement systems, etc.) that can provide relevant information to the central computer system (e.g., location information, movement information, product information, video content, and other such information).

FIG. 7 shows a simplified block diagram of an exemplary motorized transport unit 702, similar to the motorized transport unit in FIG. 4, in accordance with some embodiments, and includes the components of the motorized transport unit illustrated in FIG. 4. Further, the motorized transport unit typically includes one or more sensors and/or measurement units 414, such as but not limited to one or more distance measurement units 710, light receiver units 712, optical and/or machine readable code readers 714, other such measurement units, and typically a combination of such measurement units. The motorized transport unit also includes the motorized wheel systems 410, and may include one or more movement tracker units 718. In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 702 includes a tag 722 or other device that may be detectable, such as by location tracking units distributed throughout the shopping facility, by one or more movable item containers 104, or other systems of the shopping facility assistance system 100. In some embodiments, the tag 722 is an RFID tag or other tag, and can in some instances provide a unique identifier of the motorized transport unit. Still further, the motorized transport unit may include one or more video cameras and/or video recording units 730.

The control circuit 406 typically comprises one or more processors and/or microprocessors. The memory 408 stores the operational code or set of instructions that is executed by the control circuit 406 and/or processor to implement the functionality of the motorized transport unit. In some embodiments, the memory 408 may also store some or all of particular data that may be needed to make any of the associations, determinations, measurements and/or communications described herein. Such data may be pre-stored in the memory, received from an external source (e.g., the central computer system 106), be determined, and/or communicated to the motorized transport unit, such as from the movable item container 104, a user interface unit 114, other source or combination of such sources. It is understood that the control circuit 406 and/or processor may be implemented as one or more processor devices as are well known in the art. Similarly, the memory 408 may be implemented as one or more memory devices as are well known in the art, such as one or more processor readable and/or computer readable media and can include volatile and/or nonvolatile media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory and/or other memory technology. Further, the memory 408 is shown as internal to the motorized transport unit; however, the memory 408 can be internal, external or a combination of internal and external memory. Additionally, the motorized transport unit typically includes a power supply (not shown) or it may receive power from an external source. While FIG. 7 illustrates the various components being coupled together via a bus, it is understood that the various components may actually be coupled to the control circuit 406 and/or one or more other components directly.

Generally, the control circuit 406 and/or electronic components of the motorized transport unit 702 can comprise fixed-purpose hard-wired platforms or can comprise a partially or wholly programmable platform. These architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. The motorized transport unit and/or control circuit can be configured (for example, by using corresponding programming as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein.

The control circuit 406 and the memory 408 may be integrated together, such as in a microcontroller, application specification integrated circuit, field programmable gate array or other such device, or may be separate devices coupled together. The I/O device 424 allows wired and/or wireless communication coupling of the motorized transport unit to external components, such as the central computer system 106, the user interface units 114, the movable item containers 104, and other such components. Typically, the I/O device 424 provides at least wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF, and/or other such wireless communication), and in some instances may include any known wired and/or wireless interfacing device, circuit and/or connecting device.

The user interface 426 may be used for user input and/or output display. For example, the user interface 426 may include any known input devices, such one or more buttons, knobs, selectors, switches, keys, touch input surfaces, audio unit, and/or displays, etc. Additionally, the user interface may include one or more output display devices, such as lights, visual indicators, display screens, etc. to convey information to a user, such as local customer information, remote customer information (e.g., identification, contact information, etc.), shopping or product list information (e.g., local and/or remote customer shopping lists), product information, video content (e.g., video from the remote customer, product video information, etc.), other communication information (e.g., text messages, emails, etc.), status information, location information, mapping information, product location information, operating status information, notifications, errors, conditions, advertising, product recommendations, and/or other such information. Similarly, the user interface in some embodiments may include audio units and/or systems that can receive audio commands or requests verbally issued by a customer, and/or output audio content (e.g., audio from the remote customer, information about a product, information about a route through the shopping facility, advertising, and other such audio content).

The motorized transport unit 702 further includes the motorized wheel system 410 that includes and controls one or more motors of the motorized transport unit to at least cause the motorized transport unit to move throughout one or more areas within and/or exterior to the shopping facility. Typically, the motorized wheel system controls the one or more motors in accordance with one or more commands, position information, mapping coordinates, destination locations and the like. In some embodiments, the central computer system 106 and/or a location controller is configured to issue movement commands based on a determined and/or predicted location of the motorized transport unit. The motorized wheel system 410 can control the one or more motors to implement the one or more movement commands. In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 702 further includes the movement tracker unit 718 that is configured to track one or more parameters corresponding to the movement and/or orientation of the motorized transport unit. For example, the movement tracker unit may include and/or communicate with one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, wheel or tread velocity or rate meters, odometer based on wheel and/or tread movement, global positioning satellite (GPS) information, Wi-Fi signal evaluation, and/or other such movement parameters. These parameters can be used in determining, predicting, and/or fine tuning a location of the motorized transport unit.

In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 702 includes one or more distance measurement units 710 configured to measure relative distances between the motorized transport unit and one or more external objects. For example, the distance measurement unit can be used to measure relative distances between the motorized transport unit and a shelf or rack within the shopping facility, another motorized transport unit, a wall, a structural support column, movable item containers, the customer associated with the motorized transport unit, other customers not associated with the motorized transport unit, and/or substantially any other external object. In some implementations the motorized transport unit includes a laser distance measurement unit that uses one or more lasers to measure distances between the motorized transport unit and an external object. Further, in some embodiments, the motorized transport unit includes multiple distance measurement units positioned to measure distances around the motorized transport unit (e.g., four distance measurement units positioned with a first measuring in a direction of travel, a second measuring in a direction 180 degrees away from the direction of travel, and third and fourth measuring at ninety degrees from the direction of travel). In other implementations, one or more distance measurement units may be capable of measure distances at multiple different directions or angles. The measured relative distance information can be communicated to the remote central computer system 106 allowing the remote central computer system to track movement of the motorized transport unit and/or use the distance information to determine a current and/or predicted location of the motorized transport unit and provide movement instructions.

The motorized transport unit 702, in some implementations, includes one or more light receiver units 712 and/or light source identifiers configured to detect light from one or more light sources and extract and/or determine a unique light source identifier from the detected light. The light is typically received from predefined light sources that emit light with encoded unique light source identifiers within the emitted light. The light receiver unit 712 detects the light and extracts the unique light source identifier encoded in the emitted light. As a further example, a signal can be encoded in the light output from one or more LED or bulb light sources. The light receiver unit 712, which in some instances can comprise one or more cameras, light sensors, photodiodes, etc., detects and decodes this signal to obtain a light source identifier and/or location information that can be used in determining a position relative to the light source. Similarly, other light receiver units or devices can alternatively or additionally be used such as a camera on a user interface unit 114, a light receiver unit on other devices (e.g., movable item container, detectors carried by shopping facility associates, etc.) to detect the light source identifiers and/or signals. The detected light source identifier can, in some implementations, be communicated to the central computer system 106 to potentially be used in determining a location of the motorized transport unit based on a known location of the light source associated with the detected light source identifier. The location information can include, for example coordinates, grid information or other such information that typically correspond with a shopping facility mapping.

The camera and/or video recording unit 730 (referred to below generally as the video recording unit) can include one or more cameras configured to capture images and/or video content of products and other aspects of the shopping facility that can be communicated to the remote customer's user interface unit to allow the remote customer to visually see at least portions of products and/or the shopping facility to enhance the remote customer's cooperative shopping experience. The video camera and/or recording unit may be activated by default may be activated by default (such as upon association with a remote customer), while in other instances the video recording unit may be activated in response to a command from the local customer, the central computer system, the remote customer or the like. Similarly, the video recording unit may be active for an extended period of time, such as once activated it is maintained active unit the local or remote customer is disassociated with the corresponding motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container; or may be activated for a limited time to provide a remote customer with a picture or relatively short video and then shut down until a subsequent command to activate. Still further, different commands may be used to implement a temporary activation and an extended activation. In some embodiments, the central computer system and/or the motorized transport unit may track movements of the local customer in identifying relevant product information and/or identify how to direct the one or more video recording units (e.g., motors that can move the cameras, motors to move the motorized transport unit, etc.) to capture video consistent with the local customer's movements and/or the products being considered by the local customer.

FIG. 8 shows a simplified block diagram of an exemplary movable item container 804 and/or a user interface unit of a movable item container, in accordance with some embodiments. The movable item container 804 includes a control circuit 806, memory 808, one or more input/output (I/O) devices and/or interfaces 824, and one or more user interfaces 826. Further, the movable item container may optionally also include one or more tags 822, camera and/or video recording unit 830, one or more distance measurement units 810, light receiver units 812, optical and/or machine readable code readers 814, movement tracker unit 818, or a combination thereof. The one or more tags 822 or other device can be configured to be detected by the motorized transport unit or other systems of the shopping assistance system 600. In some embodiments, the tag 822 is an RFID tag or other tag, and can in some instances provide a unique identifier of the movable item container.

The control circuit 806 of the movable item container 804 typically comprises one or more processors and/or microprocessors. Generally, the memory 808 stores the operational code or set of instructions that is executed by the control circuit 806 and/or processor to implement the functionality of the movable item container 804 and/or the user interface unit of the movable item container. In some embodiments, the memory 808 may also store some or all of particular data that may be needed to make any of the associations, determinations, measurements and/or communications described herein. Such data may be pre-stored in the memory or be determined, for example, from detected measurements, light and the like, and/or communicated to the movable item container, such as from the motorized transport unit, a user interface unit 114, the central computer system 106, other source or combination of such sources. It is understood that the control circuit 806 and/or processor may be implemented as one or more processor devices as are well known in the art. Similarly, the memory 808 may be implemented as one or more memory devices as are well known in the art, such as one or more processor readable and/or computer readable media and can include volatile and/or nonvolatile media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory and/or other memory technology. Further, the memory 808 is shown as internal to the movable item container 804 and/or a user interface unit cooperated with the movable item container; however, the memory 808 can be internal, external or a combination of internal and external memory. Additionally, a power supply (not shown) is typically included to power one or more of the components, or power may be received from an external source. While FIG. 8 illustrates the various components being coupled together via a bus, it is understood that the various components may actually directly couple with the control circuit 806 and/or one or more other components.

Generally, the control circuit 806 and/or electronic components of the movable item container 804 can comprise fixed-purpose hard-wired platforms or can comprise a partially or wholly programmable platform. Again, these architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. The motorized transport unit and/or control circuit can be configured (for example, by using corresponding programming as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein.

The control circuit 806 can be configured, in part, to provide overall control and/or coordinate operation of the components of the movable item container. For example, the control circuit 806 can instruct and/or activate one or more transmitters, receivers, transceivers of the I/O device 824 to communicate with the central computer system 106, one or more motorized transport units, user interface units 114, and the like. As another example, the control circuit may activate the video recording unit 830 to capture video that can be communicated to a remote customer in response to instructions from the central computer system 106, a motorized transport unit, a local or remote user interface unit 114 or other device.

In some embodiments, the user interface 826 is included and/or coupled with the movable item container, which may be used for user input, output audio and/or output display. For example, the user interface 826 may include any known input devices, such one or more buttons, knobs, selectors, switches, keys, touch input surfaces, audio unit, and/or displays, etc. Additionally, the user interface may include one or more output audio and/or display devices, such as lights, visual indicators, display screens, etc. to convey information to a user, such as local customer information, remote customer information (e.g., identification, contact information, etc.), shopping or product list information (e.g., local and/or remote customer shopping lists), product information, video content (e.g., video from the remote customer, product video information, etc.), communications with other individuals (e.g., face time or other visual view of one or more remote individuals, shopping facility associates, etc.), other communication information (e.g., text messages, emails, etc.), status information, location information, mapping information, product location information, directions (e.g., to a product, to a parking space where customer parked, etc.), operating status information, notifications, errors, conditions, advertising, product recommendations, and/or other such information. In some implementations, at least a portion of the user interface 826 is positioned on the movable item container to be readily viewed and accessed by the local customer proximate the movable item container. For example, at least a portion of the user interface 826 may be mounted on a handle bar of the movable item container that is used by the customer to push the movable item contain through the shopping facility. In many instances, this makes the user interface 826 of the movable item container more visible and accessible to the customer than a user interface on the motorized transport unit. Accordingly, the user interface 826 cooperated with the movable item container may be used instead of the motorized transport unit and/or the local customer's user interface unit 114 when the motorized transport unit is cooperated with a movable item container. A user interface unit (e.g., a smart device) cooperated with the movable item container can provide the local and remote customers with access to the computing power of the central computer system 106 to improve their shopping experiences.

The camera and/or video recording unit 830 (referred to below generally as the video recording unit) can include one or more cameras configured to capture images and/or video content of products and other aspects of the shopping facility that can be communicated to the remote customer's user interface unit to allow the remote customer to visually see at least portions of products and/or the shopping facility to enhance the remote customer's cooperative shopping experience. The video recording unit 830 may be activated by default (such as upon association with a remote customer), while in other instances the video recording unit may be activated in response to a command from the local customer, the central computer system, the remote customer or the like. Similarly, the video recording unit may be active for an extended period of time, such as once activated it is maintained active unit the local or remote customer is disassociated with the corresponding motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container; or may be activated for a limited time to provide a remote customer with a picture or relatively short video and then shut down until a subsequent command to activate. Still further, different commands may be used to implement a temporary activation and an extended activation.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 6, again the shopping facility assistance system is configured to provide multiple shoppers with a multi-shopper cooperative shopping experience. In some embodiments, this cooperative shopping experience is achieved in part through the association of the multiple customers with the same motorized transport unit and/or movable item container 104. Further, at least one of the multiple customers is a local customer that is physically located at the shopping facility. Additionally, at least one of the multiple customers is typically a remote customer. Typically, the remote customer is located remote from the shopping facility; however, in some instances, the remote customer may be at the shopping facility with the cooperative shopping experience allowing the remote customer to move away from the local customer while still participating in the shopping experience. The remote customer is associated with the motorized transport unit through the remote customer's user interface unit that is communicationally coupled with the central computer system through the one or more distributed communication networks 624. Some embodiments provide an interactive session between the local customer, remote customer, and the central computer system 106 using the motorized transport unit to control the location of the movable item container and provide communication between the local and remote customers, and/or provide relevant information to one or both of the local and remote customers.

The local customer is associated with a motorized transport unit 102 at the shopping facility. For example, the local customer requests that she/he be associated with a motorized transport unit through an APP on the local customer's personal user interface unit 114 (e.g., the local customer's smart phone, tablet or other such consumer electronic device), at a kiosk at the shopping facility, through a user interface 426 of the motorized transport unit, or other such method. In requesting to be associated, the local customer typically provides the central computer system 106 with relevant identification information, such as the customer's name, a user name, a password, or other such identifying information. The central computer system can obtain relevant profile information, and associate the local customer with a motorized transport unit. In some embodiments, a motorized transport unit at the shopping facility is identified as being available when the local customer arrives at the shopping facility, upon a request by the local customer, or the like. The central computer system can evaluate multiple available motorized transport units in selecting which of the motorized transport units to associate with the local customer. The evaluation can look at one or more factors, such as but not limited to identify which motorized transport units have the capabilities relevant to the customer's intended use (e.g., shopping, removably couple with a movable item container, etc.), which are closest to a location of the local customer (e.g., in the parking lot as the local customer arrives, near an entrance of the store, etc.), a charge level of the battery of the motorized transport unit, an expected duration the local customer is predicted to use the motorized transport unit (e.g., based on past uses, a known shopping list associated with the local customer and/or one or more other local or remote customers, etc.), a location of the local customer, a location of the motorized transport units, and/or other such factors. In some embodiments, one or more other local customers may also be associated with the same motorized transport unit while the first local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit, typically only after authorization from the first local customer that was initially associated with the motorized transport unit.

While associated with the motorized transport unit, the local customer can utilize the motorized transport unit during her/his experience at the shopping facility. For example, the motorized transport unit can be used to move a movable item container 104 through areas of the shopping facility as the local customer shops, provide the local customer with product information, provide the local customer with directions to one or more products, use the local customer's and/or remote customer's shopping list to guide the local customer, follow the local customer through the shopping facility to obtain the products on the list, provide recommendations to the local customer, and other such functionality.

The central computer system can further associate one or more remote customers with the same motorized transport unit while the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit. In some embodiments, this association of the remote customer with the motorized transport unit is not implemented until authorization is received from the local customer. This authorization may be received through a request from the local customer, received in response to an inquiry by the central computer system to the local customer (e.g., based on a request from the remote customer, based on past shopping experiences, etc.), in accordance with the local customer being associated with the motorized transport unit, or other such authorization. For example, upon requesting the association with the motorized transport unit, the local customer may select on option displayed through the APP on the user interface unit that authorizes an association with a remote customer. A listing of one or more remote customers may be displayed that allows the local customer to select one or more remote customers. The listing may be based on the local customer's profile, other customers that correspond to the local customer (e.g., same address, previously were associated with the local customer, etc.), based on past associations, received requests from one or more other potential customers, other potential sources, a contact list of the local customer, or a combination of such sources. In some instances, the local customer may enter (e.g., spoken, typing, etc.) a name or other identifying information of the remote customer (e.g., phone number, email, etc.).

By also associating the remote customer to the same motorized transport unit while the local customer is also associated with the motorized transport unit, both the local and remote customers can cooperatively shop at the shopping facility providing a cooperative shopping experience. The cooperative shopping experience can include allowing the local and remote customers to communicate with each other through the central computer system 106, which may include communication through the motorized transport unit, the local and remote customers' user interface units 114, the movable item container, etc. The communication can include spoken, textual, images, video and/or the like. For example, the local and remote customers may be able to carry on a conversation through the motorized transport unit and the central computer system 106, text messages may be sent, shopping lists may be sent, compared and/or combined, and other such communication. As a further example, both the local and remote customers can add products to the movable item container (e.g., the remote customer asks the local customer to add the product), both customers can add products to a shopping list, and the like. Still further, in some implementation the communication can include providing, through central computer system and the communication networks 124, 624, the remote customer with product information of one or more products corresponding to a location of the movable item container 104 and/or the motorized transport unit 102 within the shopping facility. Some embodiments provide video content of each customer to the other while the local and remote customers are carrying on a conversation and/or during shopping, which can allow the local and remote customers to see each other.

In some embodiments, the cooperative experience can include visual information and/or content. For example, one or more of the video cameras and/or recording units of the motorized transport unit and/or the video recording units 830 of the movable item container 104 may be used to capture images and/or video at the shopping facility that can be communicated to the remote customer allowing the remote customer to have a view similar to that of the local customer as the local customer travels through the shopping facility and/or to see products that the local customer is looking at or considering purchasing. In some implementations, the central computer system with its knowledge of the shopping facility (e.g., a mapping of the shopping facility, detailed knowledge of where products are within the shopping facility and/or relative to the mapping, dimensions of the shopping facility, etc.) and feedback (e.g., from the motorized transport unit, movable item container, user interface unit, etc.) can determine or predict where to direct the one or more cameras and/or which camera to activate to capture relevant video content. For example, based on a shopping list and detailed knowledge of the shopping facility, the central computer system can use detailed shopping facility knowledge to direct one or more video recording units to capture video of relevant products that correspond to the shopping list. Similarly, the central computer system can provide movement commands and/or routing commands to the motorized transport unit based on mapping information and a determined location of the motorized transport unit to direct the motorized transport unit to relevant products and/or an area of the shopping facility. For example, a destination may be determined (e.g., based on desired product information) and one or more movement commands may be provided such as advancing one grid within a defined grid over at least an area of the shopping facility, multiple grids, a complete path of grid moves, the motorized transport unit may move in leading or following mode depending on the customer directions, or the like.

In some instances, the local customer may direct the video camera to capture video, for example, of a product that the local customer wants the remote customer to see. The direction may be based on a vocal command (e.g., using a key word, such as video, and a product name), interfacing with the user interface of the motorized transport unit or movable item container, through a graphical user interface displayed on a user interface unit 114, or the like. For example, the local customer (or remote customer) may select a video capture option from a graphical user interface, which displays video content captured by one or more cameras. Further, in some instances, one or more camera control functions may additionally be provided (e.g., through the graphical user interface) to allow the local and/or remote customer to move the camera to change a direction of the field of view of the camera. For examples, left, right, up and down arrows may be displayed and/or a simulated joystick may be displayed through a graphical user interface on a touchscreen while video content is simultaneously displayed such that the local and/or remote customer sees the changes corresponding to the camera commands. Similarly, some embodiments may communicate, through the central computer system, image and/or video content from one or more other sources, such as from the customer's user interface unit, from shopping facility video cameras 118, other such sources, or combinations of such sources. The video may be displayed over only a portion of a user interface display. Similarly, the display may be divided into multiple sections, with one or more sections displaying image and/or video content while one or more other sections display other information (e.g., shopping list, product information, pricing, etc.).

Again, the motorized transport unit 102 is configured to cooperate with a movable item container 104, and often is configured to removably couple with a movable item container, and to move the movable item container through at least one or more areas of the shopping facility. In some implementations, the control of the movement of the motorized transport unit (and the movable item container when cooperated with the motorized transport unit) is typically through commands and/or instructions received at the motorized transport unit from the central computer system 106. The commands may be based on instructions received from the local or remote customer (e.g., through a user interface of the motorized transport unit, user interface of movable item container, the user interface unit 114, spoken request or command, etc.), based on product information (e.g., spoken requested by the local or remote customer, shopping list, local and/or remote customers' profile and/or historic information, etc.), determined optimum routing, and/or other such factors.

In some embodiments, the central computer system may determine control commands for the motorized transport unit based on input from the local customer and/or the remote customer. In some implementations, the remote customer asks the local customer to request movement of the motorized transport unit and/or issue other requests (e.g., move camera, etc.). The local customer can then decide whether to submit the request (e.g., verbal, through the user interface unit 114, through a user interface, etc.). For example, the remote customer may request that a shelf with bread be shown in video content, and the local customer can verbally request that the motorized transport unit be moved to the relevant area of the shopping facility and oriented (and/or the camera oriented) to capture video of the bread shelf. Based on the local customer's request, the central computer system 106 can determine one or more commands to issue to the motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container to implement the relevant movement and/or position of the motorized transport unit and/or the position and activate on a relevant camera of the movable item container or motorized transport unit.

In other embodiments, the remote customer can submit requests or issue commands to the central computer system 106, such as spoken requests or commands to proceed to a particular product or area of the shopping facility, instructions through the remote customer's user interface unit, or the like. Typically, however, the local customer has to authorize the remote customer to issue requests or commands before the central computer system proceeds to issue corresponding commands to the motorized transport unit and/or movable item container. For example, the local customer may relinquish control over the motorized transport unit to the remote customer. Further, the local customer can override commands from the remote customer and/or take over control from the remote customer. Similarly, when conflicting requests are received between the local and remote customers, typically the local customer's request overrides the remote customer's request. Accordingly, the local customer typically maintains control over the shopping experience, while allowing the remote customer to submit requests and/or temporary control the shopping experience.

As indicated above, one or more shopping lists may be utilized in providing the cooperative shopping experience. In some instances, the remote customer's shopping list may be received through the central computer system. The remote customer's shopping list may be used instead of or cooperated with the local customer's shopping list. Typically, the local customer has to authorize the use of and/or whether the two or more shopping lists are to be cooperated and/or cooperatively used. Further, the local customer may be able to see the remote customer's shopping list, such as through a user interface of the movable item container or the local customer's user interface unit 114, audibly recited (e.g., through the motorized transport unit, the movable item container, user interface device, etc.), or the like. Similarly, in some instances, the central computer system may communicate the local customer's shopping list to the remote customer and/or allow the remote customer to edit the shopping list (e.g., add, remote, change amount, etc.). For example, the remote customer may remove a product from a shopping list in response to seeing a price of the product and/or seeing that the product is not on sale, which may be based on video content or product information supplied by the central computer system to the remote customer.

Further, in some embodiments, the cooperative shopping experience may allow the local customer or the remote customer to pay for some or all of the products being purchased during the shopping experience. In some instances, the products may be purchased through self-checkout system and/or based on tracking products placed into the movable item container. Additionally or alternatively, products added to the movable item controller may be scanned and pricing accumulated and charged to one or both of the local or remote customer based on payment information associated with profiles for the local or remote customers and/or as instructed by one or both the local customer and remote customer.

FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary central computer system 906 in communication between a motorized transport unit 902 and a remote customer's user interface unit 914, in accordance with some embodiments. In some implementations, the central computer system includes a customer profile unit 922 that maintains and updates customer profiles. As described above the customer profiles may include information such as customer name, user name, password, product preferences, shopping history, shopping habits, routes through one or more shopping facilities, contact information, related customers and corresponding contact information, payment information, and the like. Communication services and/or communication unit 924 is typically included enabling the communication of relevant information, such as audio information (e.g., voice communications, advertising, etc.), product information, video content, and the like. A motorized transport unit (MTU) and/or movable item container (MIC) control system or unit 926 is included to provide instructions and/or commands to the motorized transport unit 902. The instructions or commands can direct the motorized transport unit 902 and/or a movable item container (or units of the movable item container, such as video recording units, sensors, user interface, communications, smart device, etc.), to implement relevant actions and/or functions.

Similarly, the motorized transport unit 902, in some embodiments, includes a control circuit 406, which may be implemented as part of a smart device providing multiple functionality and/or causing functions to be performed such as one or more of communications (e.g., cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, etc.), display graphical user interfaces to allow a user to interact with the motorized transport unit, obtaining location information, and other such functionality. The motorized transport unit can further include one or more cameras or video recording units to capture content that can be communicated to a remote customer. Further, the motorize transport unit typically further includes one or more measurement units and/or sensors 928 that can be activated by the control circuit, such as one or more distance measurement units 710, light receiver units 812, optical and/or machine readable code readers 814, movement tracker unit 818, other similar detector units, or a combination of such units.

The user interface unit 914 includes a control circuit 930 that provides at least the implementation of software applications and/or Internet based applications. One or more of these applications allows the remote customer to participate in the cooperative shopping experience provided by the shopping assistance system. For example, one or more software applications may be implemented to participate in a cooperative shopping experience, a web browser may allow the customer to access the central computer system or other Internet accessible service that can allow access to a cooperative shopping experience, and the like. As described above, in some embodiments, the user interface unit may further be configured to allow the user to submit requests and/or commands that the central computer system evaluate and identify corresponding commands and/or direct commands to the motorized transport unit to implement the desired requests or commands.

The user interface unit 914, in some embodiments, further can include one or more cameras and/or video recording units 932 that allows the user interface unit to capture images and/or video that can be forwarded to the central computer system, which may distribute the image and/or video to a relevant motorized transport unit, movable item container, or user interface unit that is associated with the remote customer and/or a local customer. In some embodiments, the user interface unit 914 can further include one or more audio I/O interfaces 934 that allow a customer to interact with the user interface unit. For example, the user interface unit includes one or more I/O interfaces to capture and/or playback audio, which can include transmitting to and/or receiving audio from the central computer system. Further, some embodiments comprise a textual unit 936 that provides the user with the capability of entering and/or receiving text messages, email and/or other such textual content.

FIG. 10 shows a simplified flow diagram of an exemplary process 1010 of providing a cooperative shopping experience for multiple customers, in accordance with some embodiments. Some or all of the process is implemented through a central computer system 106 and/or control circuit of a shopping facility 101. Some embodiments may implement some of the process 1010 at remote locations and/or through remote services or servers 626. In step 1012, both a local customer and a remote customer are associated with a single motorized transport unit such that the local customer and the remote customer are both simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit at the same time during at least a portion of a period of time that the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit. The motorized transport unit in some implementations is configured to removably couple with a movable item container 104. Further, the control circuit is typically separate from the motorized transport unit and the movable item container (e.g., as part of a central computer system), and configured to wirelessly communicate with at least the motorized transport unit. The local customer is physically located at the shopping facility, and the remote customer is typically located remote from the shopping facility and is associated with the motorized transport unit through the remote customer's user interface unit that is communicationally coupled with the control circuit of the central computer system through one or more of the communication networks 124, 624. In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container enable communications between the local customer and the remote customer, such that the local customer does not have to use a personal user interface unit.

In some implementations, the local customer is initially associated with a motorized transport unit, such as upon a request received through an APP on the local customer's user interface unit 114. In some instances, the local customer is not associated with a motorized transport unit until the local customer is at the shopping facility. The association of the local customer can include obtaining an identification of the local customer (e.g., user name, user interface unit identification (e.g., phone number, unique identifier, serial number, etc.), identifier previously supplied by the central computer system 106 or other system associated with the central computer system (e.g., a retail chain website, upon registration, etc.), or other such identifier). The central computer system 106 can further identify an available motorized transport unit and associates the identifier with the motorized transport unit (e.g., through a database, spreadsheet, or other record). In some embodiments, the central computer system notifies at least the identified or selected motorized transport unit that it is associated with local customer and is to assist the local customer. Similarly, in some implementations, the local customer is also notified of the association and/or provided an identifier of the motorized transport unit. The local customer may also be provided with a password, pass code or other information that can be provided to the motorized transport unit as an authentication by the motorized transport unit that the local customer is actively associated with the motorized transport unit. Additionally or alternatively, the local customer may communicate through her/his user interface unit, which can include providing an identification (e.g., user interface unit identifier, an APP identifier, etc.) that can be used to authenticate the local customer.

This association can further include obtaining a voice recognition. The voice recognition may have previously been obtained or may be obtained as part of the association of the local customer with the motorized transport unit. For example, the motorized transport unit may issue a request (e.g., audio from an audio output system, a communication to the local customer's user interface unit, etc.) that the local customer provide a voice pattern that can be used for subsequent voice recognition.

Again, the association can be through the motorized transport unit (e.g., user interface 426), the local customer's user interface unit 114, a kiosk at the shopping facility, or the like. In some embodiments, an APP on the user interface unit is configured to provide relevant information to the central computer system in initiating and/or achieving the association. The customer may have to provide additional information, such as a password, voice recognition, etc.

A similar association process or processes can be performed when associating the remote customer. Again, the remote customer can be identified by the local customer, the remote customer submitting a request (either before the local customer is associated with a motorized transport unit where the central computer system may notify the remote customer (typically after authorization by the local customer) upon association of the local customer, or after the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit), to join the local customer's shopping experience. The central computer system 106 can communicate a notification or request over the communication network (e.g., text message, alert through an APP on a smart phone, cellular call, etc.) to initiate the association. Additionally or alternatively, the central computer system may notify a remote server or service (e.g., a retail store chain Internet based service) that can then issue the notification.

In some instances, the local customer may initiate an association with a motorized transport unit and/or movable item container by initially contacting the remote service that may route communicates to central computer system and/or redirect the local customer to directly communicate (e.g., via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.) with the central computer system (e.g., the local customer activates an APP on her smart phone that connects with a remote server (e.g., a retail chain server accessible over the Internet) that identifies a relevant shopping facility, and then redirect the user interface unit to directly communicate with the identified relevant shopping facility). The identification of the relevant shopping facility may be based on a current user's geographic location (e.g., based on GPS information, detected Wi-Fi at a shopping facility, a customer selection from a supplied list, past history, or the like, or combinations thereof). Similarly, the remote customer may also request an association through a remote server. In some implementations, the communication between the remote customer and the central computer system may continue to be routed through the remote server, while in other instances a direct communication is established (e.g., with the central computer system at the shopping facility can operate as an Internet server providing direct access via the Internet).

The association with the motorized transport unit, in some embodiments, restricts control over the motorized transport unit to only those customers that are associated with the motorized transport unit (unless overridden by the central computer system, such as due to an error, attempted customer abuse, an invalid command, etc.). Further, the association allows the communication through the motorized transport unit of relevant information to the remote customer and/or between the local and remote customers.

In step 1014, a cooperative shopping experience is provided between both the local customer and the remote customer. The cooperative shopping experience typically includes establishing communications between the local customer and the remote customer through the central computer system 106. Some embodiments further provide, through one or more of the communication networks 124, 624, the remote customer with product information of one or more products corresponding to a location of the movable item container within the shopping facility. For example, some embodiments capture image and/or video content from one or more video units of the motorized transport unit, the movable item container and/or the local customer's user interface unit 114. The image and/or video content can be forwarded to the central computer system 106. The control circuit can cause some or all of the image and/or video content to be communicated to the remote customer allowing the remote customer to see at least some of what the local customer is viewing. The cooperative shopping experience, in some instances, allows the motorized transport unit to operate in part as an avatar for the remote customer in cooperation with the local customer.

In some instances, video content is obtained from a video recording unit cooperated with the movable item container and caused to be communicated over the communication network to the remote customer's user interface unit. Further, in some implementations the control circuit can be configured to wirelessly receive a request or command from the local customer, for example through the movable item container and/or the motorized transport unit, to capture the video content (e.g., local customer verbally requests, “show chicken noodle soup”, issues a command through a graphical user interface of the APP displayed and controlled through the user interface unit 114, etc.). Accordingly, the control circuit can issue one or more commands directing the movable item container and/or the motorized transport unit to capture the video content corresponding to the one or more products proximate the location of the movable item container in response to the command received from the local customer. Some embodiments take advantage of having knowledge of the location of the motorized transport unit, the movable item container 104, and/or the user interface unit 114 of the local customer, in relation to the shopping facility and product placement. The central computer system and/or the motorized transport unit can use this location knowledge to obtain relevant product information. In some instances, the location of the movable item container can be determined, and based on this location one or more corresponding products of interest may be determined (e.g., based on one or more shopping lists, the local and/or remote customers' previous purchase history, product on sale, product being promoted, etc.) relative to at least the location of the motorized transport unit, movable item container and/or user interface unit. Relevant product information (pricing, image, video, size information, quantity information, previous purchase information, customer ratings, nutritional information, promotional information, etc.) can then be obtained corresponding to the determined one or more products of interest and communicated to the remote customer. Some or all of this information may additionally or alternatively be communicated to the movable item container, motorized transport unit, user interface unit (whether a shopping facility supplied user interface unit or the local customer's user interface unit), to provide the local customer with relevant information, which may be the same or a portion of the information provided to the remote customer, or different product information. Further, a more cooperative shopping experience may be provided by supplying at least some of the similar information to both the local customer and the remote customer.

The image and/or video content can be captured by the motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container. In some embodiments, additional or alternative video content can be captured by the user interface unit 114 of the local customer, a video system of the shopping facility video cameras 118, and/or other such sources. Some or all of this video content can be communicated to the central computer system 106 (e.g., via the wireless network 124) that can forward some or all of such video content and/or other relevant content to the remote customer's user interface unit. In some implementations, the video content sent to the remote customer provides the remote customer with a view of the shopping facility that is similar to what is being viewed by the local customer. As such, the remote customer has a similar perspective of the shopping experience as the local customer.

In some embodiments, the central computer system 106 can receive information (e.g., requests, commands, product information, shopping list, verbal content, text messaging, and/or other such information) from the remote customer's user interface unit 114. For example, in some embodiments, the control circuit is configured to receive communicated information from the remote customer, such as a shopping list identifying one or more products. The shopping list can be text, downloaded document (e.g., MS Word document), etc. that includes the product listing. The control circuit can then notify the local customer of the remote customer's shopping list. The notification can be through a user interface of the movable item container, a user interface unit 114 cooperated with the movable item container, the local customer's user interface unit 114, a user interface 426 of the motorized transport unit, or the like, or combination thereof. Some embodiments further merge the remote customer's shopping list with a shopping list of the local customer. For example, the central computer system can identify duplicates and remove duplicates, highlight products that appear to be duplicates, request authorization to delete the relevant duplicates, highlight differences (e.g., differences in quantity and/or size), add products from one list that are not on the other, and the like. This merging, in some instances, may occur in response to authorization from the local customer.

The cooperative experience allows one or both of the local customer and the remote customer to request movement and/or submit instructions to cause movement of the motorized transport unit and the movable item container. In some embodiments, the control circuit of the central computer system receives a request from the remote customer to cause the movable item container to be moved from a current position. The control circuit can wirelessly communicate, typically in response to authorization from the local customer, one or more movement commands and/or routing information to the motorized transport unit to be implemented by the motorized transport unit to cause movement of the motorized transport unit and the movable item container consistent with the movement command.

The movement of the motorized transport unit typically takes into consideration mapping of the shopping facility, product mapping corresponding to the mapping of the shopping facility, and location information of at least the motorized transport unit. In some applications, the central computer system determines, based on a mapping of the shopping facility and a determined current position of the motorized transport unit, one or more relevant movement commands and/or routing information to cause the motorized transport unit to move within the shopping facility in response to a request received from the local or remote customer corresponding to a first product, based on a shopping list, and the like. Typically, the local customer has to authorize the remote customer to issue requests that may cause movement of the motorized transport unit. The central computer can then cause the one or more movement commands and/or routing information to be wirelessly communicated to the motorized transport unit to be implemented by the motorized transport unit to cause movement of the motorized transport unit consistent with the movement command.

FIG. 11 illustrates simplified exemplary processes of providing a cooperative shopping experience, in accordance with some embodiments. Typically, the central computer system 106 maintains relevant information regarding the customers, products, shopping facility mapping and other such relevant information. This information can be stored on the central computer system and/or one or more databases 126. In many instances, a local customer 1112 initiates a cooperative shopping experience, such as selecting an option available through an APP on the local customer's user interface unit, a user interface of the movable item container, or the like. Additionally, in some implementations, one or both the local customer and the remote customer have to register or otherwise opt-in to participate in a cooperative shopping experience. For example, a customer can opt-in and/or download an application on their user interface unit, or use a shopping facility provided user interface unit, an interface of a movable item container or motorized transport unit, or other such interface device. Using the application, a customer can establish a logon with the central computer system 106, such as with a user name and password, with a voice print authorization command, or the like. Again, the central computer system or a service (e.g., an Internet based service that is maintained by a company having a series of shopping facilities geographically distributed) can request information from the customer and/or track actions of the customer (e.g., shopping patterns, purchases, whether the customer uses coupons, whether the customer prefers sale items, etc.) and establishes one or more customer profiles. The central computer system can reference a customer database to initiate a new customer profile or retrieve a customer profile on record, such as through a background process. A new profile may include obtaining a voice print while a prior profile retrieves the prior voice print. Additionally, when available the customer behavior can also be retrieved from the customer knowledge database to tailor the shopping experience to one or both the local and remote customers.

The central computer system receives a request from a customer wishing to participate in a cooperative shopping experience and identifies the requesting customer, such as based on a user log-in, an identification of the user interface unit communicating with the central computer system, or the like, or a combination of such information. The local customer may identify a remote customer with which the local customer would like to cooperate. Again, for example, the local customer may select a remote customer from a list of potential customers displayed through the APP on the local customer's user interface unit, access a contact list on the user interface unit, type in a customer name and/or contact information (e.g., phone number, email, etc.), or the like. The request to contact a remote customer may be through the customer smart device or through a user interface or smart device of the movable item container, motorized transport unit, or the like.

The central computer system 106 can contact the remote customer 1114 notifying the remote customer that they may join a cooperative experience. In some implementations, the central computer system uses a background process to contact the remote customer based upon the remote customer's preferences and how the customer wishes to establish a contact. In some embodiments, the notification to the remote customer identifies the local customer and in some instances the shopping facility. Further, in some approaches, the notification may identify relevant information such as alternative methods and/or devices through which the remote customer may participate in the cooperative shopping experience, options regarding content to be received (e.g., whether video is to be forwarded, data rates limits, etc.), and the like. The remote customer can accept or decline the invitation, and the local customer notified.

Once the contact is established, the central computer system can join the remote customer with the local customer. The central computer system can associate the local customer and remote customer with the same motorized transport unit, a movable item container, a user interface unit and/or other such devices that can be utilized at least in part in providing the cooperative shopping experience. Again, the local customer may have already been associated with a motorized transport unit prior to the remote customer joining the cooperative experience and/or being associated with the same motorized transport unit. Once the remote customer is associated, both the local customer and the remote customer are simultaneously associated with the same motorized transport unit. In some instances, the central computer system can allocate a motorized transport unit and/or a movable item container for the customer to use. One or both the motorized transport unit and the movable item container can include communication devices and/or smart devices, and may also include one or more video recording unit or video systems. Typically, at least a user interface of the movable item container is visible to the local customer and provides the local customer with the capability to interact with the central computer system, and in some implementations communicate through the central computer system with the remote customer. This enables the remote customer to have a portal into the shopping facility.

In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit is not coupled with a movable item container. As such, the central computer system can issue instructions to the motorized transport unit to couple with a movable item container 104. This may include identifying a specific movable item container, obtaining identifying information of the movable item container that the motorized transport unit couples with, or the like.

During the cooperative shopping experience, the central computer system can be configured to direct relevant product information to the remote customer and/or the local customer. In some instances, this can include directing images and/or video content from the video unit of the movable item container, the motorized transport unit, the local customer's user interface unit, shopping facility video units, or the like. Other product information may additionally or alternatively be provided to one or both the local and remote customers, such as but not limited to audio information about products, alternative product recommendations, pricing information, nutritional value information, comparison information relative to two or more products, customer information (e.g., shopping history information and/or other such customer profile information), other such product information, or a combination of two or more of such information. Information and/or content from the remote customer may also be provided and/or made accessible to the local customer. In some implementations, the user interface of the movable item container or a user interface unit can receive video content from the remote customer. For example, a display on the user interface and/or smart device of the movable item container can be configured to receive and display video content, such as the face of the remote customer from a video camera on the remote customer's user interface unit 114.

Further, in some instances, the local and/or remote customers may also split their displayed graphical user interface to see the multiple content, such as the remote customer splitting her graphic display to view the local customer's face as captured by a video unit of the movable item container while viewing other content in another portion of the split display. The motorized transport unit and/or movable item container may operate as a surrogate or avatar for the remote customer while the local shopper shops at the shopping facility. Again, this may be accomplished through a mobile application on one or both the local and remote customers' user interface units. Additionally, the mobile application typically transfers data through the application to the central computer system. This information may be a shopping list, coupons, financial information, or any other information, such as information associated with shopping.

Some embodiments utilize multiple user interfaces and/or devices in providing the cooperative experience to the local customer. For example, in some instances when a local customer requests the initiation of a cooperative shopping experience through the local customer's user interface unit, the user interface of the movable item container can display video content or other such information from the remote customer (if provided), while the local customer's user interface unit can receive content from the central computer system, such as retail shopping and financial information that can be displayed through the mobile application. The local customer's video camera can capture the customer's face, if desired by the local customer and the remote customer, while the video recording unit of the movable item container can allow the remote customer to see at least a portion of the shopping area where the local customer is located. In some embodiments, the user interface of the movable item container, motorized transport unit, and/or a shopping facility supplied user interface unit can be configured to be able to swap the display between multiple sources of content, such as between the video content from the remote customer and the personal tailored shopping application.

Regardless of which device is used by the local customer, the central computer system in some implementations can use the distributed communication networks and the remote customer's user interface unit to contact the remote customer. The communication can be determined based on personal preferences of one or both the local and/or the remote customers, when they have setup how they wish to be contacted to establish the connection. Connections may be through cellular service, through the Internet, other such communication networks, or a combination of such communication networks. As described above, more than one local or remote customer may enter into the cooperative shopping experience. Once the connection is established, relevant information (e.g., video, audio, and data) can now be shared with two or more customers of the cooperative shopping group through the central computer.

Further, the local customer may submit one or more requests or commands, such as requesting movement of the motorized transport unit. Again, the request may be a spoken request (e.g., identification of a product), issued through a user interface (e.g., of the movable item container, the motorized transport unit, a user interface unit, etc.), submission of a shopping list, and the like. In response, the central computer system can determine one or more relevant movement comments and/or routing information, and can communicate one or more instructions and/or routing information to the motorized transport unit, which can implement the relevant movement. Similarly, the remote customer may be able to submit one or more requests and/or instructions. As with the local customer, the remote customer may be able to issue spoken requests, select one or more options on a graphical user interface displayed on the remote customer's user interface unit, and the like. The central computer system can similarly determine relevant movement commands and/or routing information and communicate the one or more movement commands and/or routing to the motorized transport unit. In some embodiments, actions by the central computer system, the local and remote customers, and/or the motorized transport unit can be logged by the central computer system. The log information can be used in adjusting customer profiles, for performance optimization and the like.

In some applications, the local customer has to authorize the remote customer to issue commands. For example, the central computer system may ask the local customer whether to implement requests from the remote customer, the remote customer may ask the local customer to submit the request, the local customer may have set a parameter authorizing the central computer system to implement all requests and/or commands from the remote customer, or the like. The local customer typically maintains the ability to override one or more requests and/or commands from the remote customer. Similarly, the local customer can take over directing the movements of the motorized transport unit, and thus the movable item container. In response, the central computer system implements commands and/or requests from the local customer.

Some embodiments allow one or both of the local and remote customers to take advantage of other functionality provided through the cooperative shopping experience. For example, in some embodiments the local and/or remote customer can initiate contact or a call to shopping facility worker for assistance on the spot for the local customer or remote customer. Similarly, communications with a shopping facility worker (e.g., associate or colleague) can be implemented (e.g., similar to a conference) through the cooperative shopping session. The request for help and/or communication with a shopping facility worker can be based upon the location of the motorized transport unit and/or the local customer in the shopping facility. In some instances, the motorized transport unit and/or movable item container can initiate the call to the shopping facility worker (e.g., a smart device of the motorized transport unit can identify, through the central computer system, contact information (e.g., a phone number) of a relevant worker to call (e.g., bases upon the location of the local customer).

Again, the central computer system 106 is configured to issue commands and/or instructions to the motorized transport unit to cause the motorized transport unit to move through at least a portion of the shopping facility space in accordance with the commands and/or instructions. In some implementations, the control circuit issues routing commands between a current location and a desired destination, which may be based for example on a desired product, products often purchased by the local or remote customer, a shortest route, or the like, utilizing the knowledge of the shopping facility layout, mapping, dimensions and location of the motorized transport unit. The mapping and other shopping facility information can include but is not limited mapping, one or more grids of the shopping facility, layout of the shopping facility, three-dimensional modeling, three-dimensional imaging of products, product locations, statistics about products, and the like. Further the movement commands may be based on knowledge of the one or more customers (e.g., local customer and remote customer) associated with the motorized transport unit and/or movable item container, such as but not limited to purchase history, preferences, previous route history, shopping list, other customers' buying patterns, and other such information that is maintained and typically associated with a customer's profile that is maintained by the central computer system 106 and/or other system, such as a server accessible over the distributed communication network 624. Accordingly, in some implementations, the cooperative shopping experience can be specific to a shopping facility. In some instances, the movement commands can be determined to provide a tailored shopping experience relevant to one or both the local customer and the remote customer. Similarly, the movement commands may be determined at the control circuit in response to one or more requests received at the control circuit from the remote customer to cause the movable item container 104 to be moved from a current position. The control circuit can determine the relevant one or more commands to achieve the desired movement. These one or more movement commands can be communicated (e.g., wirelessly communicating) to the motorized transport unit to be implemented by the motorized transport unit to cause movement of the motorized transport unit and the movable item container consistent with the movement command.

Further, in some implementations, the one or more movement commands are communicated to the motorized transport unit in response to authorization from the local customer. The authorization may be specific to the request from the remote customer, may be a general authorization (e.g., authorizing the remote customer to temporarily take over control), or other such authorization. Further, the authorization may be received via a vocal authorization by the local customer, a selection of an option displayed through a graphic user interface (e.g., displayed on the local customer's user interface unit, through a user interface unit cooperated with the movable item container, through a user interface of the movable item container, through a user interface 426 of the motorized transport unit, etc.), or other such authorization.

The user interface units 114 can utilize specific application software and/or programs to access the central computer system 106. In some embodiments, the specific application software and/or programs, or other more general application software may be used, such as an Internet browser, that allows the customer to access the central computer system by logging into the central computer system or a more general application operated on one or more servers remote from the shopping facility location. The application software and/or programming (e.g., one or more APPs implemented through the user interface units 114) can provide the customers with a portal to establish a collaborative shopping experience. This portal, in some embodiments, allows one or more remote customer to virtually accompany the one or more local customers through at least some of the shopping facility as the local customer shops at the shopping facility and in some instances implement at least some control over the motorized transport unit and the location of the movable item contain. Still further, the local and remote customers can communicate through the central computer system, avoiding having to have or use personal communications.

The local customer can request the session and/or association with the motorized transport unit be terminated or closed out when finished shopping or otherwise finished using the motorized transport unit. For example, the association of one or both local and remote customers may be terminated upon purchasing products. The local customer or the remote customer may elect to have the products picked up by the local customer or delivered to a desired address, which in some instances may depend upon the profile set up by the local and/or remote customers. The central computer system can close out the association in response to a request and/or in response to detecting a change in status, such as the local customer leaving the shopping facility, getting too far away from the motorized transport unit for a threshold period of time, a location of the motorized transport unit (e.g., approaching an exit of the shopping facility), or the like. The termination of the association of the local customer with the motorized transport unit further causes the central computer system to terminate the association of the remote customer with the motorized transport unit if the remote customer has not already been disassociated. The remote customer can request disassociation, while in other instances, the central computer system may terminate the association of the remote customer with the motorized transport unit (e.g., in response to completing a checkout, based on a location of the motorized transport unit, a location of the local customer, a request by the local customer that the remote customer be disassociated, and the like). The termination of the association between the local customer and the motorized transport unit further frees up the motorized transport unit to be associated with another customer.

Some embodiments provide a collaborative shopping experience between remote customers and in-facility customers through integration of communication and information services. This collaborative experience can help customers who do not have a user interface unit or do not want to use their own to communicate with others or share information through a range of collaboration options such as phone, text, video call, conference call, email, etc. Further, some embodiments enable a remote shopper to virtually accompany an in-facility shopper, visually sharing the shopping experience while seeing and talking with the local shopper. The local shopper may be a family member, a friend, relative, may be a shopping facility worker shopping on behalf of the remote shopper while the remote shopper provides guidance, or the like.

Further, in some embodiments, shopping assistance system comprises communication services, interfaces, mobile/web applications used by local and remote customers, motorized transport units 102, a central computer system (CCS) 106 and information systems in collaborative shopping sessions. Users can give voice commands or use a graphical interface of the motorized transport unit, movable item container, user interface unit, or the like to have the motorized transport unit and/or the central computer system implement communications (e.g., make a call for them). In some embodiments, the central computer system or the motorized transport unit makes the call, starts a video call, send a text message, or the like as requested using one or more integrated cellular or facility network connections. Repeat customers may have the ability to save a profile, recording frequently used numbers for speed-dial shortcuts, track usage, save preferences, safe shopping lists, etc. Using video capabilities (e.g., video call capabilities), the shopping assistance system allows a remote person to virtually accompany a local shopper, visually sharing the shopping experience while seeing and talking with the local shopper. Some implementations enable multiple people to web or video conference. The central computer system and/or the motorized transport unit can be configured to translate text to speech and speech to text. This will provide the local shopper with hands free communication across various media types.

Accordingly, some embodiments provide collaboration tools that enable multiple users to both simultaneously participate in a shopping session, while one of the users is local at the shopping facility and another is remote from the shopping facility. Further, some implementations utilize a web APP that is tailored to the in-facility shopping collaboration. Improved customer insight data can be obtained and/or used to further enhance the shopping experience. Typically, the central computer system 106 has simultaneous access to customer profiles and real time in-facility shopping activities, which can be utilized to improve sales and/or the customer experience. The cooperative experience can improve the efficiency and novelty of the shopping experience while accommodating users' schedules by allowing users to remotely participate. One or more graphical user interfaces can provide additional advertising opportunities, which again can capitalize on having more than one customer participating and having knowledge of the customers' profile information. In some embodiments, the central computer system can track these cooperative experiences and/or the sales associated with such cooperative experiences to improved product insights. Further, the integration of collaboration and information services provides new opportunities to gain product feedback.

In some embodiments the shopping assistance system provides centralized communication service interfaces that enable multiple communication methods to allow customers to connect with the motorized transport unit through the central computer system 106. The central computer system can implement an application that integrates communication services, customer information, product information, item information, shopping facility information, and other such information, and provides effective presentation options to the customer through the motorized transport unit, the movable item container and/or a user interface unit. Further, mobile and/or web applications can be provided that allow remote shoppers to virtually accompany a shopper that is physically at the shopping facility, visually sharing the shopping experience while seeing at least portions of the shopping facility and/or the local shopper, talking with the local shopper, and otherwise exchanging information.

The cooperative shopping experience provides remote customers the opportunity to participate in shopping with the local customer operating in part as a surrogate. The remote customer has multiple options through the in-facility shopping experience. For example, the remote customer may wish to view video of the local customer's face, video captured by the movable item container or other such source, two or more separate video content streams, other product information and/or other relevant information (e.g., shopping list, prior user shopping behavior, coupons, pricing, alternative products, related products, etc.). Further, in some embodiments, one or more features and/or options may be elected, such as through the software application a customer may turned on or off features, select content tiles (e.g., tiles that may be minimized, maximized, placed on tabs, etc.), and other such options. When multiple local and/or remote customers are cooperating, the different customers may elect to have different video content and/or feeds from the associated different customers and/or the shopping facility video, such as from the local customer's user interface unit, movable item container or other source. Though the central computer system, the associated customers participating in the cooperative shopping experience can share shopping information, or may keep some information private, electing what and with whom content is shared.

Further, a cooperative shopping experience is provided between one or more remote customers and one or more in-facility shoppers through integration of communication and information services. The motorized transport unit, movable unit container, and/or shopping facility supplied user interface unit can allow customers who do not have a smart device (or do not want to use their own user interface unit) to communicate with others or share information through a range of collaboration options such as phone, text, video call, conferencing, email, other such communications, or combinations of such communications. Further, the cooperative shopping experience enables remote customers to virtually accompany an in-facility shopper, in some embodiments visually sharing the shopping experience while seeing and talking with the local shopper.

Some embodiments provide systems comprising communication services, interfaces, mobile/web applications used by in-facility and remote customers, interconnecting motorized transport units, a central computer system and information systems in cooperative shopping sessions. In some implementations, customers can issue commands (e.g., voice commands, commands through an interface displayed on a user interface unit and/or user interface, or the like). The commands can include movement commands, controlling video content, controlling content displayed through a graphical user interface, content distributed to a remote and/or local customer, initiate communication (e.g., make a phone call, send a text message, send an email, etc.), and other such commands. In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit implements a call, starts a video call, and/or sends a text message as requested using its integrated cellular or facility network connection. Repeat customers may have the ability to save a profile, recording frequently used numbers for speed-dial shortcuts, and the like. For example, a logged in local customers may be able to have the motorized transport unit dial a “Home” or “Don” contact number. The central computer system and/or the motorized transport unit may access a customer profile and contact information within that customer profile to implement the communication according to the shortcut (e.g., “Home”). With video call capabilities, the system allows a remote customer to virtually accompany an in-facility shopper, visually sharing the shopping experience while seeing and talking with the local shopper. In some applications, the motorized transport unit also enables multiple people to web or video conference. Further, in some embodiments, the central computer system and/or the motorized transport unit is able to translate text to speech and speech to text. This will provide the local customer with hands free communication across various communication and/or media types. For example, the motorized transport unit can translate speech from the local customer to text messaging and back. Text messages sent to the central computer system, the motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container can be translated to speech. Vocabulary filters may be employed to avoid or minimize miscommunications and abuse.

The cooperative shopping experience provides, in part, a better collaboration tool. An Internet application can be utilized in some implementations to provide the tailored multi-customer shopping collaboration. Further, the central computer system can use and obtain improved customer and product insight data. The improved product insights can allow the integration of collaboration and information services providing new opportunities to gain product feedback. In some embodiments, the central computer system has simultaneous access to two or more of customer profiles, product information, inventory information, real time in-facility shopping activities, and other such information. The cooperative shopping experience can increase foot traffic through the shopping facility with more features that improve and/or provide a novelty of the shopping experience. Some implementations are configured such that user interfaces can provide additional advertising opportunities. In some embodiments, one or more centralized communication service interfaces enable multiple communication methods to connect with the motorized transport unit through the central computer system. Further, a shopping facility application can integrate communication services, customer, product, item and store information and provide effectively presentation options for the motorized transport unit and/or the movable item container.

In some embodiments, the central computer system comprises one or more servers, in-facility computers that utilizes one or more in-facility networks, the Internet, an intranet, or the like to communicate with user interface units of local and remote customers (e.g., smart phones, tablets and other such smart devices, home office computers, etc.), the motorized transport units, and the movable item containers. Each of the motorized transport units are typically configured with an identifier (e.g., a number, phone number, name, etc.) that has been assigned to it that can be used as identification, for example in receiving and transmitting communications. Alternatively or additionally, a smart device on the motorized transport unit and/or the movable item containers can include a unique identifier. The central computer system can identify the motorized transport units and/or movable item containers using these identifiers, where typically the identifiers are unique such that only a single motorized transport unit or movable item container at a shopping facility can use an identifier. Often, the central computer system can use the identifier to identify which motorized transport units are at which shopping facility. In some embodiments, the motorized transport units include and/or have a list of tasks which are associated with the motorized transport unit that the motorized transport unit is configured to perform.

Some embodiments have customers opt into utilizing the cooperative shopping experience. Again, the opt-in may be implemented through a software application. The software application may additionally or alternatively provide the customer with access to take part in the cooperative shopping experience. In some instances the software application may provide one or more listings of the services available to customers using the application, which may be selectable to initiates a service. Customers can be identified through the application, user interface unit and/or through a log-in process. In some implementations, customers are allowed to use their accounts to be associated with a motorized transport unit and/or a movable item container. Through the identification of the customers associated with a motorized transport unit and/or a movable item container, financial accounts and/or information may be made available to the customer, which may have been established with other mobile applications or web accounts.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a multiple customer shopping apparatus comprises: a control circuit corresponding to a shopping facility; a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: associate both a local customer and a remote customer with a single motorized transport unit configured to removably couple with a movable item container such that the local customer and the remote customer are both simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit at the same time during at least a portion of a period of time that the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit, wherein the local customer is physically located at the shopping facility, and the remote customer is located remote from the shopping facility and is associated with the motorized transport unit through the remote customer's user interface unit that is communicationally coupled with the control circuit through a distributed network; and provide a cooperative shopping experience between both the local customer and the remote customer while both the local customer and the remote customer are simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit.

In some embodiments, a method of providing a cooperative shopping experience, comprises: by a control circuit of a shopping facility: associating both a local customer and a remote customer with a single motorized transport unit configured to removably couple with a movable item container such that the local customer and the remote customer are both simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit at the same time during at least a portion of a period of time that the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit, wherein the local customer is physically located at the shopping facility, and the remote customer is located remote from the shopping facility and is associated with the motorized transport unit through the remote customer's user interface unit that is communicationally coupled with a control circuit through a distributed network; and providing a cooperative shopping experience between both the local customer and the remote customer while both the local customer and the remote customer are simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple customer cooperative shopping apparatus, comprising: a control circuit corresponding to a shopping facility; a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: associate both a local customer and a remote customer with a single motorized transport unit configured to removably couple with a movable item container such that the local customer and the remote customer are both simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit at the same time during at least a portion of a period of time that the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit, wherein the local customer is physically located at the shopping facility, and the remote customer is located remote from the shopping facility and is associated with the motorized transport unit through the remote customer's user interface unit that is communicationally coupled with the control circuit through a distributed network; and provide a cooperative shopping experience between both the local customer and the remote customer while both the local customer and the remote customer are simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit.
 2. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is separate from the motorized transport unit and the movable item container, and configured to wirelessly communicate with at least the motorized transport unit.
 3. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit, in providing a cooperative shopping experience, is further configured to: establish communications between the local customer and the remote customer; and provide, through the distributed network, the remote customer with product information of one or more products corresponding to a location of the movable item container within the shopping facility.
 4. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control circuit, in providing the product information, is further configured to obtain video content from a video recording unit cooperated with the movable item container, and communicate the video content over the distributed network to the remote customer's user interface unit.
 5. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control circuit, in obtaining video content, is configured to direct the capture of the video content corresponding to the product in response to a spoken command received from the local customer through an audio unit cooperated with the movable item container and wirelessly communicated to the control circuit.
 6. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control circuit is further configured to obtain additional video content captured by a user interface unit of the local customer, and communicate the additional video content over the distributed network to the remote customer's user interface unit.
 7. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to: receive, over the distributed network from the remote customer, a shopping list of the remote customer identifying one or more products; and notify, through a user interface unit cooperated with the movable item container, the local customer of the remote customer's shopping list.
 8. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control circuit is further configured to: merge, in response to authorization from the local customer, the remote customer's shopping list with a shopping list of the local customer.
 9. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to: receive a request from the remote customer to cause the movable item container to be moved from a current position; and wirelessly communicate, in response to authorization from the local customer, a movement command to the motorized transport unit to be implemented by the motorized transport unit to cause movement of the motorized transport unit and the movable item container consistent with the movement command.
 10. The cooperative shopping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to: determine, in response to authorization from the local customer and based on a mapping of the shopping facility and a determined current position of the motorized transport unit, one or more relevant movement commands to cause the motorized transport unit to move within the shopping facility in response to a request received from the remote customer corresponding to a first product; and wirelessly communicate the one or more movement commands to the motorized transport unit to be implemented by the motorized transport unit to cause movement of the motorized transport unit consistent with the movement command.
 11. A method of providing a cooperative shopping experience, comprising: by a control circuit of a shopping facility: associating both a local customer and a remote customer with a single motorized transport unit configured to removably couple with a movable item container such that the local customer and the remote customer are both simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit at the same time during at least a portion of a period of time that the local customer is associated with the motorized transport unit, wherein the local customer is physically located at the shopping facility, and the remote customer is located remote from the shopping facility and is associated with the motorized transport unit through the remote customer's user interface unit that is communicationally coupled with a control circuit through a distributed network; and providing a cooperative shopping experience between both the local customer and the remote customer while both the local customer and the remote customer are simultaneously associated with the motorized transport unit.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control circuit is separate from the motorized transport unit and the movable item container, and configured to wirelessly communicate with at least the motorized transport unit.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the providing the cooperative shopping experience comprises: establishing communications between the local customer and the remote customer; and providing, through the distributed network, the remote customer with product information of one or more products corresponding to a location of the movable item container within the shopping facility.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the providing the product information, comprises obtaining video content from a video recording unit cooperated with the movable item container, and communicating the video content over the distributed network to the remote customer's user interface unit.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: wirelessly receiving, at the control circuit, a command from the local customer through the movable item container to capture the video content; wherein the obtaining the video content comprises directing, from the control circuit, the capturing of the video content corresponding to the product in response to the command received from the local customer.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: obtaining additional video content captured by a user interface unit of the local customer; and communicating the additional video content over the distributed network to the remote customer's user interface unit.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receive, at the control circuit and over the distributed network from the remote customer, a shopping list of the remote customer identifying one or more products; and notifying the local customer, through a user interface unit cooperated with the movable item container, of the remote customer's shopping list.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: merging, in response to authorization from the local customer, the remote customer's shopping list with a shopping list of the local customer.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving, at the control circuit, a request from the remote customer to cause the movable item container to be moved from a current position; and wirelessly communicating, in response to authorization from the local customer, a movement command to the motorized transport unit to be implemented by the motorized transport unit to cause movement of the motorized transport unit and the movable item container consistent with the movement command.
 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining, in response to authorization from the local customer and based on a mapping of the shopping facility and a determined current position of the motorized transport unit, a relevant movement command to cause the motorized transport unit to move within the shopping facility in response to a request received from the remote customer corresponding to a first product; and wirelessly communicating the movement command to the motorized transport unit to be implemented by the motorized transport unit to cause movement of the motorized transport unit consistent with the movement command. 